Rangers vs Jagiellonia

Rangers welcome Jagiellonia Bialystok to Ibrox on Thursday, August 13, for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie. Derek McInnes’ side head into the contest looking to secure a place in the play-off round, with a potential meeting against either Larne or Iberia 1999 hanging in the balance.

What’s at Stake

The winners over two legs will advance to the Europa League play-off round, where Northern Ireland’s Larne or Georgia’s Iberia 1999 await. The losing side will drop into the UEFA Conference League play-offs, meaning both clubs are guaranteed European football beyond this week, but the prestige and financial reward of the Europa League route adds extra edge. For McInnes, it is his first European tie at Ibrox as Rangers manager, and a positive result is needed after a stuttering domestic opener.

Rangers Team News and Injuries

Derek McInnes is without centre-back Ben Godfrey, who was ruled out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in the 1-1 Scottish Premiership draw at Dundee United. The Atalanta loanee’s absence leaves a gap in the heart of defence, with Olwethu Makhanya – a recent signing who only resolved Polish visa issues ahead of the first leg – likely to make his full debut. Midfielder Connor Barron is still recovering from a pre-season knock and is a doubt, while Nico Raskin has travelled with the squad after returning from a post-World Cup break. New £2.7m winger Daisuke Yokota, signed from Hannover 96, could feature for the first time after travelling to Poland for the opening leg. John Souttar and Nedim Bajrami were not included in the club’s UEFA squad.