Union Saint-Gilloise in depth as Rangers opponents miracle story reviewed amid Celtic ultras connection

Union Saint-Gilloise are the opponents for Rangers in the Champions League third qualifying round - and they've had a road of highs and lows to get to where they're at.

The Belgian side have been drawn as the Ibrox club's first European opponents this term and stand between them and a play-off spot. It's a pinnacle moment for the Belgians after a long struggle for one of the nation's clubs to even get back to their country's top tier.

Rangers are desperate to reach the elite European group stages for the first time since late Walter Smith's time in charge but will be under no illusion they will face stern tests before that. They come into this continental campaign buoyed by last year's run at the Europa League, which culminated in a runners-up spot, only losing the final on penalties to German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville during May.

Now aiming to go deeper into the competition above is key. Here's the lowdown on Rangers' first opponents in their quest to do so.

The club is one of the most successful in the history of Belgian football. The club won 11 Belgian championships in a 31-year span between 1904 and 1935, making it the most successful side in the land pre-World War II.

They were promoted back to the First Division for the first time in 49 years last year and unbelievably finished four points off eventual title winner Club Brugge in May. A second-placed finish was their highest since in 87 years.

That feat was a borderline miracle given they had been a part-time outfit as recently as 2016 and Irish-born sporting director Chris O'Loughlin is credited with much of the business that's turned them into title contenders

They came into existence on 1 November 1897, 124 years ago.

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