By Rangeral

This coming Wednesday sees our 1st European draw of the new season in the Champions League Qualifying round 2 League Path where we will seeded along with RB Salzburg and Viktoria Plzen to which each side will be drawn together with one of three unseeded sides in Brann, Panathinaikos or Servette.

First out is home in 1st leg subject to any issues however advance notice regarding Servette. Their ground is hosting the 1st semi-final of the Women’s Euro 2025 on 22nd July and therefore would under UEFA control until the game is played so UEFA themselves make it known that Servette would home on 29th/30th instead in the pre-draw information on Wednesday morning should, if Servette are first out then their home leg gets switched to the 2nd leg.  These fixtures are due to be played on 22nd/23rd July 1st leg and 29th/30th July 2nd leg

So we progress and are playing in Champions League Qualifying Round 3 League Path we are now guaranteed at a minimum of Europa League League Phase. Should we lose the draw takes place on Monday 21st July again we are seeded along with Benfica, Club Brugge and Feyenoord which each side will be drawn against one of the following unseeded teams/pairings RB Salzburg/QR2 opponent, Viktoria Plzen/QR2 opponent, Fenerbahce or Nice.

Most Read on FollowFollow.com The FollowFollow.com Friday Preview – Hearts at Home Dessers Departs – A look back at Cyriel In The Eye Of The Storm – Rangers 0-0 Celtic

Like Qualifying Round 2 first out home in 1st leg subject to any issues and these fixtures are due to be played on 5th/6th August 1st leg and 12th August 2nd leg

Win and progress to the Champions League Play-off round League path draw is on Monday 4th August would see us been unseeded this time along with Feyenoord/QR3 opponent and drawn against of the seeded pairings Benfica/QR3 opponent or Club Brugge/QR3 opponent

Again like the previous two rounds – first out is home in 1st leg subject to any issues and these fixtures are due to be played on 19th/20th August 1st leg and 26th/27th August 2nd leg – win that and we are the Champions League League phase lose and it is Europa League League Phase

So dropdowns and having no European football beyond August?

Unlike the past few seasons were are not currently guaranteed to be playing European football beyond August due to starting Champions League Qualifying round 2 League Path so what happens if we lose that 2nd qualifying round game?

We drop into the Europa League Qualifying round 3 Main Path for which the draw takes place on Monday 21st July and we are unseeded as we are taking the coefficient of either Brann, Panathinaikos or Servette who are the expected side in that although there is a chance we could end been seeded using Panathinaikos’ coefficient if we draw them on Wednesday at least that needs 3 of the 4 potential Qualifying Round 3 to lose in Qualifying round 1 where they start. These fixtures are due to be played on 7th and 14th August.

Win and we are in the Europa League Play-off round Main Path – we are now guaranteed at a minimum of Conference League League Phase if we should lose.  The draw takes on Monday 4th August we should be seeded based on the Qualifying round 3 opponent at least and these game are due to be played on 21st and 28th August.

Lose Europa League Qualifying round 3 Main Path and we drop into the Conference League Play-off round which the draw takes place on Monday 4th August and we should be seeded for that one.  These games are due to be played on 21st and 28th August

Win and it is Conference League League phase – Lose and no European Football at all after August

Winning that Champions League Qualifying Round 2 League Path is crucial.