Sport
The remarkable Europa League connotation which could land Rangers ‘two home ties
Rangers could have ‘two home ties’ in the Europa League last 16 in they draw Shakhtar Donetsk with the Ukrainians using HSV’s Volksparkstadion.
Amid the ongoing conflict in the country, the Ukrainian champions used the legendary 57k seater Hamburg stadium in the Champions League group stages.
And this continued into the Europa League with Shakhtar Donetsk using the German ground in a 2-2 draw with Marseille.
With that tie neatly poised – and Rangers eagerly awaiting news of their Europa League Last 16 opponents – a trip to HSV’s Volksparkstadion would feel like a home tie to the Gers.
Ibrox fans dreaming of Volksparkstadion?
This is because Rangers have a close link to Hamburger SV, the team that calls the Volksparkstadion home.
In fact, the Bundesliga 2 club are official Rangers partners and the two even played out a pre-season friendly at Ibrox last summer, which the Gers won 2-1.
But those fans who’ve been dreaming of a summer return at the Volksparkstadion might get their trip to Germany a little earlier than planned.
We’re pretty sure there would be one almighty welcome too!
There’s a lot of ifs and buts connected to a potential draw against Shakhtar Donestk, but if Rangers do find themselves against the Ukrainians what a double header the clash promises to be.
With 50k Rangers fans undoubtedly ready to make Ibrox a fortress, the second leg in HSV’s Volksparkstadion would effectively be like a second home tie.
Rangers Europa League draw not set in stone
Obviously there a number of factors in this situation taking place.
Firstly, Shakhtar Donetsk need to go to Marseille’s Stade Velodrome and win or take the match to penalty kicks.
Given one ex-Rangers midfielder has just been sacked as the French side’s manager, we wouldn’t exactly be betting against it.
Then Shakhtar Donetsk would need to be pulled out of Friday afternoon’s draw in Nyon against Rangers, the Gers the seeded club alongside the other seven group winners.
There are a host of other names who could also come of the hat of course, with the Europa League playoff to be concluded this week, but a trip to the Volksparkstadion will certainly appeal to Rangers fans.
Rangers’ close links to HSV stem from Glaswegian dock workers introducing their German colleagues to the club in the 1970s.
The relationship has only strengthened from there, with Jorg Albertz helping to cement the friendship during legendary stints with both clubs.
