Everything Rangers fans need to know about Jagiellonia as Europa League draw confirmed

Rangers are heading to Poland for a Europa League third qualifying round match.

Finishing third in the Scottish Premiership in 2025-26 meant that Champions League football was off the menu at Ibrox in 2026-27.

As disappointing as that is, it does mean Gers are back in the competition they almost won in the 2021-22 campaign: the Europa League.

Derek McInnes' side will be confident of going far in the competition again this time round, especially after the strong summer transfer window they've enjoyed so far.

However, Rangers aren't in the Europa League proper just yet, and still have some hurdles to jump before they can start dreaming about lifting the trophy.

And, the Bears have just learned the identity of the first foe they will have to defeat if they are to reach the league phase of the competition, and it's a fascinating tie in prospect.

When are Rangers' Europa League third round qualifying games?

Ibrox News has been covering footage of Rangers potentially looking leggy in pre-season so far, with some players still trying to get their match sharpness and fitness levels up to scratch.

With friendlies against Saint-Etienne and West Ham still to come before the opening game of the league season against Dundee United on 31 July, they do still have some chances to get up to speed.

However, it's not long at all before competitive action begins, and that includes their Europa League campaign.

The draw for the third round of the Europa League qualification stage was made on Monday, and Rangers have been drawn against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.

The first leg will take place on Thursday 6 August in Poland, with the return leg scheduled for Thursday 13 August at Ibrox.

Whoever wins over these two legs will enter the final round of qualification before reaching the Europa League proper.

So, who are Jagiellonia Bialystok, do they have any players Rangers fans may be familiar with, and what can Gers fans expect from their trip to Poland?

Jagiellonia do have an ex-SPFL player in their ranks

Founded in 1920 by soldiers of the Reserve Battalion of the Polish 42nd Infantry Regiment, Jagiellonia are based in the city of Bialystok, which is the largest city in northeastern Poland.

They ply their trade in Polish football's top division, the Ekstraklasa, and their home stadium is called the Chorten Arena, which holds a capacity of just over 22,000 and is fully seated.

Jagiellonia have established themselves as one of Poland's top teams in recent years, winning the Ekstraklasa for the first time in their history in the 2023-24 season.

They've also finished as runners-up in 2017 and 2018, and have won the Polish Cup once in 2009-10, as well as the Polish Super Cup twice, most recently in 2024-25.

Their manager, 34-year-old Adrian Siemieniec, has been in charge since April 2023, and tend to deploy in either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

Within their squad they do have a few players who've played football on these shores, with winger Kamil Jozwiak and forward Nik Prelec having turned out in the English Championship with Derby and Oxford United respectively.

Meanwhile, centre-back Yuki Kobayashi is a former Celtic player, who was with the Greens between January 2023 to August 2024, but only made seven competitive appearances for them.

So, Rangers fans travelling to Poland can expect a brilliant away day in a modern and impressive stadium.