The lowdown on Rangers next Europa League opponents Galatasaray
Rangers face another stiff Europa League test on Thursday night when they welcome Galatasaray to Ibrox.
Victory over the Turkish giants would see Steven Gerrard's team qualify for the group stages for the third year running.
Here is the lowdown on the Super Lig leaders ahead of the play-off round clash.
Form
Galatasaray were reigning Turkish champions last term but had a campaign to forget as they trudged home in sixth place. The Istanbul outfit only qualified for Europe after runners-up Trabzonspor were handed a one-year ban from UEFA competition after breaching financial fair play rules. But they have made an early statement this term, following up an opening-day win against Gaziantep by beating last year's league winners Istanbul Basaksehir. They warmed up for this week's trip to Glasgow with a hard-fought goalless draw in their Intercontinental Derby clash with fierce rivals Fenerbahce. In Europe, Neftci of Azerbaijan were swept aside 3-1 in the Turks' opening qualifier before a 2-0 win over Hajduk Split - capped off by a goal from Steven Gerrard's old Liverpool team-mate Ryan Babel - booked the flight to Scotland.
Manager
Fatih Terim is dubbed the Emperor in Turkey but his skills as a coach have been recognised far and wide. In four spells as Galatasaray boss, he has won eight Super Lig titles and three Turkish Cups, while his team's UEFA Cup triumph over Arsenal in 2000 made him the first coach to lead a Turkish club to a European trophy. He has also managed the Turkish national team on three occasions, leading the Crescent Stars to their first ever major tournament at Euro 96 and the last four at Euro 2008. He also enjoyed an 18-month stint in Italy with Fiorentina and AC Milan.
Players
Alfredo Morelos will come up against his idol Radamel Falcao this week. The Colombia great may not possess the mobility that once made him one of the most feared strikers in the world but the former Porto, Atletico Madrid, Monaco and Manchester United poacher has shown he still knows where the net is, with 14 goals in 24 appearances since moving to Istanbul last year. Babel has also found redemption on the banks of the Bosphorus, rejuvenating a career that looked to be in free-fall after leaving Anfield in 2011. Turkey star Arda Turan returned to the club this summer but is not travelling for the tie because of illness, though the club announced he tested negative for coronavirus.
European record
It was not until the 1990s that Galatasaray started to make an impact in European competition, with their notorious supporters and their 'Welcome to Hell' warnings spelling trouble for a host of big clubs. Their UEFA Cup final victory on penalties against the Gunners was the first - and so far only - time a Turkish side has claimed a major continental title. The year after saw their one and only encounter with Scottish opposition, claiming a 3-2 win at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium before Gheorghe Hagi - father of current Ibrox star Ianis - stormed down the tunnel in a huff after being replaced by during a goalless draw at Ibrox. Last season's Champions League campaign saw the Turks finish bottom in a 'group of death' containing eventual runners-up Paris St German and 13-time European champions Real Madrid after picking up just two draws against Club Brugge.