Rangers face FK Shkupi in the Europa League
Rangers face FK Shkupi in the Europa League

Europa League draw: Steven Gerrard's Rangers drawn with Macedonian minnows


Rangers will kick-off Steven Gerrard's reign with an opening Europa League qualifier against FK Shkupi, whilst Burnley travel to Aberdeen.

The former Liverpool and England skipper will take his first steps in senior management when Gers host the Macedonian minnows at Ibrox on July 12.

Shkupi, based in the capital Skopje, finished fourth in last season's Macedonian First League.

The Light Blues will make the return trip to their 6,000-capcity Cair Stadium on July 19 as they begin what they hope are four qualifying rounds on the way to the group stages.

Rangers suffered a humiliating defeat to Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn under former boss Pedro Caixinha last year, but avoided a repeat clash as they were kept apart as the draw for the first qualifying round was made in Nyon.

Burnley will face Aberdeen in their first European tie in more than 51 years after the two British clubs were paired together in the Europa League second qualifying round.

At Wednesday's draw in Nyon, the Clarets were handed home and away clashes with the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership side, which will take place on July 26 and August 2.

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Burnley European adventure starts in Scotland

Burnley secured their place in Europe for the first time since they reached the Fairs Cup quarter-finals in 1967 by finishing seventh in last season's Premier League, while Aberdeen were runners-up to Celtic north of the border.

Ladbrokes Premiership rivals Hibernian face a trip to the Faroe Islands after they landed NSI Runavik in their Europa League opener, with the first leg set for Easter Road.

Northern Irish outfit Glenavon kick-off their qualifiers against Molde of Norway, Coleraine take on Serbian side Spartak Subotica, while Cliftonville face Danes Nordsjaelland.

Welsh side Connah's Quay Nomads are to play Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus, while Cefn Druids, should they progress past Lithuanians Trakai in their preliminary qualifier, will meet FC Irtysh of Kazakhstan.

Bala Town, who also face a preliminary qualifier against Tre Fiori of San Marino, will be rewarded with a tie against NK Rudar Velenje of Slovenia if they can overcome their first hurdle.

Dundalk - who became the first team from the Republic of Ireland to win a group stage game back in 2016 - will look to take their first step back to that stage when they take on Levadia Tallinn of Estonia, while Derry City face Belarusians Dinamo Minsk and Shamrock Rovers prepare to battle Swedes AIK.


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