RANGERS and Hibs look set to join Aberdeen in the Europa League second round qualifiers after both recording impressive home wins. The draw for the second round has already been made and both clubs know who they will face should they progress. Getty Images - Getty Steven Gerrard made his first competitive appearance as Ibrox boss on Thursday night[/caption] Steven Gerrard’s first competitive game at Ibrox was a success as the Gers ran out 2-0 winners over Macedonian side FK Shkupi. And Neil Lennon’s men put themselves in the driving seat with a huge 6-1 victory at Easter Road against Faroese minnows NSI Runavik. The Dons landed themselves a direct route to the Europa League second round qualifying round. SunSport Online has all the details of who each club could face as well as when the draw for the third qualifying round takes place. Europa League second qualifying round CS Petrocub/NK Osijek v Rangers/FK Shkupi The Gers are in the driving seat as they look set to extend their European journey further than last season’s shock exit at the hands of Luxembourg side FC Progres Niederkorn. Goals from Jamie Murphy and James Tavernier secured a 2-0 win in front of a sell-out crowd for Steven Gerrard’s competitive bow as Ibrox boss. PA:Press Association Jamie Murphy celebrates scoring the opener[/caption] The Light Blues will find out their future earlier than their possible opponents as their fixture has been moved to Tuesday July 17. Moldovan side Petrocub travel to Croatia to face Osijek – with the game still in the balance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Dates: First leg: Thursday July 26 Second leg: Thursday August 2 Hibs/NSI Runavik v Asteras Tripolis Neil Lennon’s men know that a solid performance in the Faroe Islands will see them face Greek Superleague side Asteras Tripolis. A hat-trick from new signing Florian Kamberi – alongside goals from Oli Shaw and a double from debut boy Stevie Mallan – saw Hibs romp to a 6-1 victory at Easter Road. Andy Barr - The Sun Glasgow Florian Kamberi after scoring his first goal of the game against NSI Runavik[/caption] The Hibees play NSI Runavik on Thursday night with the squad expected to secure safe passage into the next qualifying round. Potential opponents Asteras sneaked into this year’s Europa League with a fifth placed finish secured by virtue of goal difference. Dates: First leg: Thursday July 26 Second leg: Thursday August 2 Aberdeen v Burnley Derek McInnes’ men secured qualification to the Europa League second round by finishing second in last season’s Scottish Premiership. And the Dons are set for a tasty ‘Battle of Britain’ clash against EPL upstarts Burnley – with the first leg at Pittodrie on Thursday 26th July. Willie Vass Derek McInnes is set to return his Dons team to competitive action against EPL side Burnley[/caption] Aberdeen will then travel to Turf Moor to face Sean Dyche’s side in the return game a week later. And it could be a tricky tie with Clarets gaffer Dyche confident his side are the strongest they have ever been. Dates: First leg: Thursday July 26 Second leg: Thursday August 2 Most Read STAY AT HOME Scott Arfield ‘has not travelled’ with Rangers squad ahead of Shkupi clash TARGET TILT Rangers eye up Curtis Tilt as an alternative if they fail to sign Jake Cooper TITLE PARTY Rangers can win league title this season, says Arsenal starlet Charlie Gilmour TAKING THE CHRIS Celtic legend Chris Sutton has poked fun at Rangers TV commentary SAMMON SWOOP Motherwell are on the verge of signing striker Conor Sammon from Hearts POG’S DINNER Souness slaughtered for Pogba remarks after Man United star wins World Cup When is the Europa League third qualifying round draw? The draw for the third qualifying round will be made in Nyon on Monday July 23. It will be made at 12noon (UK time). Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow Zenit Saint Petersburg are one of the teams that Rangers, Hibs and Aberdeen could be drawn against in the third qualifying round[/caption] Should Rangers and Hibs join Aberdeen in the draw they will all be involved in the main path. The draw will involve the 13 teams entering at this stage, the 37 second qualifying round main path winners and the two teams eliminated from the league path of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. Teams joining at this stage include Feyenoord, Braga, Olympiakos and Zenit Saint Petersburg – who knocked Celtic out of the Europa League last season. The first legs will be played on Thursday August 9 and the second legs will be played on Thursday August 16. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news, transfers and goals from Scottish football plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
Source: Scottish Sun, News
Source: Scottish Sun, News
