Rangers have been given an extremely tough draw in the third round of the Champions League qualifying stage, with either Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv or Serbian colossus Partizan the opponent.

Both sides finished second in their divisions, with Kyiv a much closer thing to Shakhtar than Partizan were to Red Star, but neither side will be mugs by any means.

That second round tie between Rangers’ prospective opponents will see the first leg tomorrow (Tuesday) before the follow up next week, with Rangers obviously learning after leg two who they will face in the third round.

We won’t offer a major scouting report till we know who we get, but it’s clear that this is where the big boys play football, and Rangers are a million miles away from being ready for Hearts a week on Saturday never mind a European Champions League hopeful in a Serbian or Ukrainian outfit.

All we can say is what we keep saying – we pray for something good to happen squad-wise in this window soon with the club because we’re fighting Hearts and Killie off for second in present condition, never mind pushing Celtic for the title.

Finger out!