As we now all know, Rangers are to face German titans Borussia Dortmund in the all-new playoff phase of the Europa League, after today’s draw took place.

However, while we knew there was a strong chance of a big name, like Porto or Zenit, there was a good chance too of a Barca or a Porto, or indeed Dortmund.

It turns out, of all 8 sides we could get, only Sevilla rival Dortmund for current domestic form and Rangers effectively pulled the biggest draw out of the hat, in terms of name and aforementioned form.

Of course, Barca were the prize for everyone, but are without the stars they used to have and in dire current form, they’re not the scalp they once were and they’ve lost their place among the elite.

But Dortmund are very much one of Europe’s top 10 sides, regarded among the highest cream of the continent there is, and they’ve got the best striker and fine current form to prove it.

So our question is how does this affect the January window?

Could this marquee European draw affect both players Rangers can attract, and those who might want to leave?

This is quite simply a taste of the Champions League.

This is that level, and Rangers’ best players are clearly going to want to be part of this one.

Could it mean the players reported to be wanting to leave, the Morelos, Kamaras, Kents and Aribos change their minds and want a piece of the Dortmund action?

Then there’s those we can attract.

We are already able to interest players who are tempted to a team who have a strong chance of CL group stage next season, but now we have a bonus in the form of Dortmund in a couple of months.

It could just help the carrots we have to bring in talent.

All in all it’s a great draw, and it will give Rangers so much exposure.

Whether we can actually get past the German juggernaut is another matter…