Yet again there’s chaos thanks to UEFA chiefs
It’s always a scramble for clubs and fans to get travel arrangements sorted at this early stage of European competition.
But Rangers and their supporters have been left stuck between the Rock of Gibraltar and a hard place when it comes to their first Europa League clash.
The Gers had to wait until Tuesday of last week to find out they’d be kicking off their Europa League campaign against Gibraltarian side, St Joseph’s.
From there, they had to wait three more days – until Friday – for official confirmation that the game was being moved forward to this Tuesday.
For me, that’s an absolute joke of a situation.
But what do you expect when UEFA give three European places to a league of absolute minnows like Gibraltar’s Premier Division?
There’s only one stadium in the British territory suitable to host European games, for goodness’ sake!
As soon as the Rangers’ fixture switch was confirmed, prices for flights and hotels shot up
With two teams through to this round of Europa League qualifying – and with both drawn at home on the same date – there were always likely to be problems.
So it was a sad inevitability that as soon as the Gers’ fixture switch was confirmed, prices for Gibraltar flights and hotels shot up.
A few punters might have gambled and got themselves a bargain.
But most travelling Bears will now either pay through the nose, or be priced out altogether.
Fortunately, barring an absolute calamity, Rangers should at least be able to offer fans – driven round the bend planning their trips – the comfort of a place in the next round.
The Gers made the group stages last year and are aiming to do the same again.
Given a decent draw, Steven Gerrard will think there’s no reason why his side can’t get the job done.
It’s the same story for Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.
With Burnley last season, the Dons got a great draw in terms of spectacle, but a horrible one in terms of getting through to the next round.
Fate has been kinder to Derek Mcinnes’ side this time. But it’s when the third qualifying round rolls around that luck really comes into play.
That’s when two drop down from Champions League qualifying, plus lurking giants such as Eintracht Frankfurt.
If either the Dons, Killie or the Gers draw a team of that quality down the line, they’re really going to be up against it.
Much like Celtic already are.
Starting in the first qualifying round of the Champions League is an absolute sickener.
Once upon a time, Scotland’s champions would have gone straight in.
Now they have to negotiate eight games to get there.
With some seriously big teams waiting, it’s a big ask.
But Neil Lennon has led the Bhoys to the group stage before – and I believe he can do it again.
In fact, he has led them beyond the group stages before.
Tuesday’s opener away in Sarajevo looks like one of those banana-skin ties.
It will be played in a hostile atmosphere, against a team backed by a multi-millionaire Vietnamese banker.
But the Hoops are a team with European experience, who know how to go about their business.
There’s a long way to go for all of our European representatives.
However, looking at this week’s fixtures, I’d like to see a clean sweep of Scottish wins.