Who are Red Star Belgrade? Rangers face Europa League throwback as last 16 draw evokes mixed memories

Rangers have had mixed fortunes against Red Star Belgrade in their meetings since they first clashed almost 60 years ago.

But fans hoping the draw against the Serbian side is a lucky omen will point to the fact that the season they last went head to head the Light Blues went all the way to the UEFA Cup final.

To do that, they had to survive the intimidating Marakana Stadium and will have to do the same again in the return leg of their last 16 tie on March 17.

However, there's no doubt that on paper the draw could have been tougher although just four goals conceded in the group stage suggests they could be stuffy opponents.

But having seen off Borussia Dortmund, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his men will fancy their chances of reaching the quarter finals.

Here, Record Sport Online looks at the Serbian SuperLiga side and the threat they will pose.

Well, they are actually Crvena Zvezda as they are now formally referred to by UEFA.

But better known as Red Star Belgrade, they were founded in 1945 and play at the 53,000 Rajko Mitic Stadium.

They are the most successful team in the history of Serbian football, with more than two dozen national titles.

They are currently five points behind their great rivals Partizan Belgrade in another two-horse race for the Serbian title this season.

The Serbians qualified directly into the last 16 as winners of Europa League Group F.

They finished one point ahead of Braga, drawing 1-1 in Portugal and winning 2-1 at home, who Gers defeated in the knockout stage two seasons ago.

Celtic's Champions League conquerers Midtjylland were also in the section and they failed to beat the Danes with a 1-0 loss at home and 1-1 draw away.

But they dropped into the Europa League after losing to Champions