Rangers v Galatasaray: The lowdown on the big-names Falcao, Turan, Terim and Babel seeking Europa League play-off progress in Glasgow

Rangers are seeking victory over Galatasaray to qualify for the Europa League group stage for the third consecutive year, but Steven Gerrard and his side face a stiff test against the Turkish Super Lig leaders at Ibrox.

Galatasaray signed veteran Colombian striker Radamel Falcao from AS Monaco last year. ( OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Here is the lowdown on the big names from Istanbul 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.

Galatasaray's Turkish coach Fatih Terim

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.

Gheorghe Hagi (right) is kept in check by Rangers midfielder Jorg Albertz when the sides last met at Ibrox in 2000.

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 only - time a Turkish side claimed a major continental title. The year after saw their sole 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 of a group containing eventual runners-up Paris St German and 13-time European champions Real Madrid. They drew twice against Club Brugge.