Rangers Learn Europa League Play-Off Fate as Jagiellonia Bialystok Awaits

Rangers and Hearts have learned their fate in the Europa League play-off round, while Motherwell face a tough challenge against Freiburg. The draw for the Conference League is also imminent.

Key Events:

  • Rangers and Hearts will face Larne or Saburtalo of Georgia, while Jagiellonia Bialystok awaits for Rangers in the third qualifying round.*
  • Motherwell face a tough challenge against Freiburg in the Europa League play-off round. *
  • The Conference League draw is expected to be announced soon.

Match Odds:

  • Europa League: Benfica vs. Hearts (Benfica: 1/9, Draw: 15/2, Hearts: 16/1 to Qualify)
  • Conference League: Rapid Vienna or Paide for Hearts and Jablonec or RFS for Rangers; Motherwell face Freiburg.

Jagiellonia Bialystok vs. Rangers

Rangers will travel to Poland to take on Jagiellonia Bialystok in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, with a chance to reach the play-off round if they are successful. The Polish outfit stands in their way, and fans eagerly await the draw.

Who are Jagiellonia Bialystok?

Jagiellonia Bialystok is a Polish club founded in 1920 by soldiers from the nation's 42nd Infantry Regiment. They have won their first-ever top-flight league title in 2024 after finishing as runners-up in the Ekstraklasa in 2017 and 2018, and also lifted the Polish Cup in 2010. In that same year, they also won the Polish Super Cup and lifted it again 14 years later.

Manager: Adrian Siemieniec became the youngest manager in Polish football history when he took charge of the club two years ago at the age of 31.

  • Players to watch out for: Jagiellonia Bialystok includes former Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi among their ranks, as well as versatile full back Rodrigo Conceicao, older brother of current Juventus star Francisco Conceicao and son of ex AC Milan and Porto boss Sergio Conceicao. Spanish forward Jesus Imaz has racked up over 100 goals for the club since his arrival back in 2018.

Best European Run: Jagiellonia Bialystok previously made it all the way to the quarter finals of the Conference League in the 2024/25 season, where they were knocked out by eventual runners-up Real Betis.

  • Did you know?They are unbeaten in their last seven away European games, which included a 4-2 win at Fiorentina last season, but they have never played in Scotland.
  • When will the ties be played?Rangers will travel to Bialystok for the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round on August 6, before hosting the Polish side at Ibrox seven days later on August 13.
  • How can fans get there?Supporters cannot fly into Bialystok, with the nearest airports placed 200km (124 miles) away in Warsaw. A return flight from Glasgow to Warsaw Chopin Airport and Warsaw Chopin Airport between August 5 and August 7 will cost fans upwards of £250-300.
  • Ticket prices:A match ticket at the Chorten Arena ranges in price from as little as €7 (£6) to €23 (£22), well below UEFA's price cap of €45 (£44) for visiting supporters.
  • Price of a pint:In Białystok, you can expect to pay around 9 zł to 14 zł (£1.75–£2.80) for a pint of domestic beer at a local pub. If you are buying from a supermarket, a 500ml bottle or can of a standard domestic beer costs about 3 zł to 5 zł (£0.60–£1.00).

Record Sport's Keith Jackson has penned his thoughts on Rangers in his latest column.

Just one game in, Derek McInnes already knows what he’s up against if he’s to make Rangers relevant again. And what he witnessed for himself on Friday night at Tannadice may have come as a nasty shock to the senses. Because there is a laziness and a stale stench of complacency about some of the main players he has inherited which completely belies the fact they hardly boast a winners' medal between them.

McInnes will have gone into Auchenhowie at the start of the summer with his eyes wide open. He’s been around the game long enough to know a bunch of habitual under achievers when he sees one.Having left them trailing in his maroon slip stream 2017 and 2018, and also lifted the Polish Cup in 2010.

McInnes will have gone into Auchenhowie at the start of the summer with his eyes wide open. He’s been around the game long enough to know a bunch of habitual under achievers when he sees one.

Having left them trailing in his maroon slip stream 2017 and 2018, and also lifted the Polish Cup in 2010.