3 quirky facts about Rangers Europa League opponents as Betis, Prague and Limassol profiled

Rangers defeated Sparta Prague to secure a Europa League knockout place on the way to the final in Seville – and will now face the Czech side again as well as a return trip to the Andalusian capital.

The Ibrox side had the Czech outfit to thank for securing them a place in Pot 1 of the group stage draw after Brian Priske’s side eliminated Dinamo Zagreb from the competition. The Croats would have been top seeds for the draw in Monaco but Rangers replaced them after a stunning comeback from Sparta Prague who were trailing 3-1 from the first leg but turned that around with a 4-1 victory at home.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst faced Sparta Prague in his first game in charge of Rangers and a 2-0 win saw him carry on Steven Gerrard’s good work as a brace from Alfredo Morelos booked a last-32 place with a final group game against Lyon to spare. And the Light Blues continued their journey all the way to the final where they lost a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out to Eintracht Frankfurt.

The venue for that final was of course the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville and Rangers will be back in the south of Spain. But rather than Sevilla’s home they will travel to the home of their fierce rivals Real Betis. The Spaniards were drawn from Pot 2 alongside the Light Blues and Sparta Prague, while Cypriot champions Aris Limassol make up the section. Gers fans can look forward to three decent trips with fixtures to be announced on Saturday at the latest and here Record Sport looks at the three group rivals.

FORMED: 1907

STADIUM: Estadio Benito Villamarín (60,720)

HONOURS: 1 Spanish title, 3 Spanish Cups.

MANAGER: Manuel Pellegrini. Veteran Chilean coach who has been in charge of Real Madrid, Manchester City and West Ham. Turns 70 this