‘100% sure: Postecoglou makes Ibrox prediction after Spurs get Rangers in Europa League draw
Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, has responded to his team’s Europa League draw against Rangers. The Australian-Greek coach, who previously led Celtic to significant success, finds himself facing a familiar foe in Rangers, setting the stage for an exciting clash in the league phase of the competition.
Before taking the reins at Tottenham Hotspur, Postecoglou managed Celtic from 2021 to 2023, a period during which he became a formidable adversary for Rangers. Under his guidance, Celtic secured five out of six possible domestic trophies, solidifying their dominance in Scottish football. During his tenure, Rangers managed to win only the Scottish Cup in 2022, as they struggled to match Celtic’s consistency.
Postecoglou’s success at Celtic paved the way for his move to the Premier League, where he took charge of Tottenham Hotspur. In his first season, Postecoglou led Spurs to a fifth-place finish, earning them a spot in the Europa League’s league phase as a Pot 1 team.
Tottenham’s qualification placed them in the top seed for the Europa League draw, where they were paired with Rangers, who had dropped down from the Champions League qualifiers. The new format of the Europa League draw allowed for top-seeded teams to face each other early in the competition, leading to the highly anticipated matchup between Spurs and Rangers.
This draw marks Postecoglou’s return to Ibrox, the home of Rangers, for the first time since his Celtic side suffered a 3-0 defeat there in May 2023. Despite the history between him and Rangers, Postecoglou expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming match. During a press conference, he commented, “Exciting. It’s good to be a part of. Some good games. I am sure I will get a warm reception at Ibrox and they’ll look forward to seeing me.”
Rangers face a challenging Europa League campaign, with matchups against both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, arguably the two strongest Pot 1 teams they could have drawn. Rangers’ last visit to Old Trafford occurred 14 years ago when Walter Smith’s side managed a 0-0 draw against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Below is a complete list of Rangers’ fixtures for the Europa League league phase:
| Fixture | Date |
|---|---|
| Rangers vs Tottenham Hotspur | To Be Announced |
| Manchester United vs Rangers | To Be Announced |
| Rangers vs Lyon | To Be Announced |
| Olympiacos vs Rangers | To Be Announced |
| Rangers vs Union Saint-Gilloise | To Be Announced |
| Malmo vs Rangers | To Be Announced |
| Rangers vs FCSB | To Be Announced |
| Nice vs Rangers | To Be Announced |
2024/25 Europa League Schedule
The Europa League schedule for the 2024/25 season is packed with intense matchdays and crucial knockout rounds. Here’s a look at the key dates:
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | September 25–26 |
| Matchday 2 | October 3 |
| Matchday 3 | October 24 |
| Matchday 4 | November 7 |
| Matchday 5 | November 28 |
| Matchday 6 | December 12 |
| Matchday 7 | January 23 |
| Matchday 8 | January 30 |
| Knockout Play-Offs | February 13 & 20 |
| Round of 16 | March 6 & 13 |
| Quarter-Finals | April 10 & 17 |
| Semi-Finals | May 1 & 8 |
| Final | May 21 |
Ange Postecoglou’s return to Ibrox as Tottenham’s manager adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Europa League clash between Spurs and Rangers. With both teams aiming to make a deep run in the competition, the stakes are high, and the matches promise to be intense. Postecoglou’s history with Rangers will undoubtedly fuel the narrative, making this one of the most anticipated fixtures of the group stage.
As the tournament progresses, both Spurs and Rangers will need to navigate a challenging fixture list, with matches against European heavyweights like Manchester United and Lyon also on the horizon. The outcome of these games could significantly impact the course of their Europa League campaigns, making every match crucial in the quest for European glory.