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Rangers have lost just four of their last 30 European games at Ibrox, winning both home games against Serbian opposition since the breakup of Yugoslavia. Red Star won their first trip to Scotland, against Hibs in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1961, but are winless in five visits since.
Rangers to win and both teams to score is 11/4.
Rangers to win and over 2.5 goals is 7/4.
Alfredo Morelos is the Gers’ leading scorer in Europe of all-time with 28. El Búfalo is 15/4 to break the deadlock and 6/5 to add to his tally.
Match preview
After claiming a huge scalp in the first knockout round, will Rangers reach a European quarter-final for the first time since being UEFA Cup finalists 14 years ago?
The Gers were hoping to make their Champions League return this season but, back in August, crashed out in the third qualifying round to Malmö.
The Light Blues had zero points after two games but finished second in Group A, below Olympique Lyonnais but above Sparta Praha and Brøndby.
The Scottish Premiership champions were then given the glamour draw of the first knockout round, facing Borussia Dortmund.
This was obviously a daunting prospect although it didn’t look it when Rangers ran riot at Westfalenstadion, claiming a famous 4-2 victory.
James Tavernier opened the scoring before an Alfredo Morelos brace, and a John Lundstram rocket in between, secured the win.
Seven days later, back at Ibrox, Tavernier scored twice more in a 2-2 draw as the German heavyweights were dumped out.
So, this is the third consecutive season Rangers have reached the round of 16, going out to Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 and Slavia Praha 12 months ago.
Will they go one step further this time?
Domestically, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side are embroiled in a very tight title race.
Last weekend, they remained three points behind Celtic, thanks to Kemar Roofe’s late winner against Aberdeen on Saturday.
Back in Europe, will the home crowd at Ibrox be celebrating another famous scalp?
Red Star Belgrade meanwhile were champions of Europe as recently as 1991 but then spent the next 26 years in the European wilderness.
However, since returning in 2017, they’ve appeared in five consecutive UEFA group stages, two of which have been of the Champions League variety.
This season, Crvena zvezda lost to FC Sheriff in Champions League qualifying but wins over Kairat and Cluj saw them keep up their group stage streak.
There, they topped a group for the very first time, accumulating 11 points against Braga, Midtjylland and Ludogorets Razgrad.
Thus, they’re through to the round of 16 of a European competition for the first time since 1992, back when they were reigning champions of the world.
Right now, Dejan Stanković’s side face a real fight if they’re to win a fifth consecutive Serbian SuperLiga title.
Despite winning the Eternal derby 2-0 last month, Crvena zvezda are second, two points behind Partizan Belgrade.
Back in Europe, will the Serbian champions beat their Scottish counterparts at Ibrox?
Rangers team news
Aside from wingers Amad and Ianis Hagi, the latter is out long-term, Giovanni van Bronckhorst appears to have a fully-fit squad available.
No one is suspended but John Lundstram and strikers Alfredo Morelos and Fashion Sakala would miss the trip to Serbia if shown a yellow card.
Despite this, Morelos will lead the line with Fashion Jr. as well as Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent in support.
Ryan Jack is fully fit again, after a long-term calf injury, and will continue to dictate midfield.
Aaron Ramsey has started just once since landing in Glasgow, a cup tie at Annan, but, having been on the bench on Saturday, could be involved here.
Centre-back continues to be the problem positition with Filip Helander not in the UEFA squad and Leon Balogun out of favour.
So, as was the case in both Dortmund legs, Calvin Bassey could partner Connor Goldson with Borna Barišić at left-back.
Crvena zvezda team news
The visitors two notable danger man are their wingers.
First, captain Aleksandar Katai will start on left, looking to add to his 23 goals this season, including a hat-trick against Novi Pazar on Sunday.
Also, El Fardou Ben Nabouhane, known as Ben, has scored 14 goals for Red Star in Europe and netted for Comoros at AFCON in January.
Through the middle, Richairo Živković could come in, displacing Ohi Omoijuanfo.
Elsewhere, experienced Italian right-back Cristiano Piccini is likely to return to the XI, displacing Milan Gajić.
Experienced goalkeeper Milan Borjan will make his 214 appearance for the Crvena zvezda.
The 34 year old is also Canada’s number one, helping his national team be on the cusp of World Cup qualification
Mirko Ivanić, Katai, Nenad Krstičić, Milan Pavkov and Petar Srnić would all miss the return leg if booked.
Scottish Premiership table:
Serbian Superliga table:
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