THE four tests were passed 12 months ago as Rangers reached the Europa League group stages. But their seventh European qualifier under Steven Gerrard could prove to be the most difficult yet.

In his first term as boss, Gerrard guided his side to wins over Shkupi, Osijek, Maribor and Ufa as the Gers’ long wait for group stage football on the continent was finally ended.

The route is different this time around but the ultimate ambition remains the same for Gerrard and the squad that he has added to during the summer.

Over the last four weeks, St Joseph’s and Progres Niederkorn have been dispatched with relative ease and now it is Midtjylland that stand between Rangers and a play-off round berth against Legia Warsaw or Atromitos.

And former Danish international and Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands reckons the Superliga side will be the hardest assignment yet.

“I would say so,” Lovenkrands said. “A lot of people are probably looking at it and going ‘ah but it’s only a Danish team’ and this and that.

“But this is a team that’s not been finishing in the top just once or twice, it’s been consistently doing so in the last Danish league for the last five to six years and won the league two years ago against Copenhagen, who have been a dominant side. It’s a really good team, and a good squad.

“They always build strongly. They lost their manager last year but the assistant coach took over and it’s the same philosophy going through the club that there’s been for a long time.

“I think they have played four games – I think they won all of them. They have started well as you expect them to do anyway. But they have not played Brondby or Copenhagen yet. They have played a few games while Rangers have just started so they will be more used to playing together. It’s definitely going to be tough.

“It is important that Rangers are building it up again. They are a club that should be on Europe every year. Look at what they did last year. We want to get back to that.

“The gaffer wants to get them back into the group stage because I think we deserve to be there and we proved last season we can handle it and did really well. But like I said, it will not be easy. I do think we are capable of getting through.”

While Rangers fans were well versed in their last opponents following Progres’ shock win over Pedro Caixinha’s side two years ago, less will be known about the challenge that awaits in Denmark this week.

Lovenkrands understands the threat of Midtjylland but it is one he won’t be fearful of as he watches the Light Blues in action.

He said: “One of my close pals is actually the assistant coach – Brian Priske. I played with him for the national team and the Under-21s so I have known him for years.

“I actually met him the other day when I was on my Pro Licence.

“We were in Italy for the Under-21 Championships and had a good chat.

“But we did not know of course that this was going to happen so I had a wee text from him the other day, it’s quite funny. But I am looking forward to seeing him, especially when they come over here and I can have a chat with him.

“They have good, good players, especially the wingers who are very fast. Goalkeeper wants to play as well, and I think that is something Rangers could explore to be fair.

“But they are not a team known for sitting back. Because they have dominated the Danish league for so long with Copenhagen, they want to go and play and normally they will be the ones dominating games. I will be surprised if they come with a tactic other teams have done against Rangers of sitting back. I think they will go for it.”

If Rangers are to advance through another tie and reach the play-off round, Gerrard will need to see a far higher level of performance from his players than the one they produced on their last European outing.

The Light Blues were comfortable but not overly convincing as a goalless draw in Luxembourg earned them a 2-0 aggregate success.

Rangers head to the MCH Arena on the back of their dramatic victory against Kilmarnock at the weekend and the third round clash is poised to be an intriguing one.

Lovenkrands said: “They are a really strong side. The last five or six years it’s been between them and FC Copenhagen and Brondby at times too for the title, although Brondby have not won the title.

“Midtjylland and Copenhagen have won the title back and forth between them in recent years. Midtjylland won the league two years ago. So overall they are a really dominant team in Denmark.

“Their location in Denmark helps them too. Denmark is three islands and they are situated on the big island and they are taking all the talent from that big area while FC Copenhagen and Brondby take talent from other areas.

“They are a really strong club who are building themselves up to being a big big club. It’s going to be really tough for Rangers. I do hope and think Rangers are going to go through but it’s not going to be easy.

“They will be excited, I would assume. Especially coming to Ibrox, they will not be used to that type of atmosphere. Yes, games against Copenhagen and Brondby have similar atmospheres in Denmark, but take those games away they do not have anything like that.

“So it will be a big game for them as well, just as much as it will be for us. But I am assuming they will be fine and will be able to cope with these things. They have international players in their squad so they have players who are capable and who have been in that situation before.”

*Since 2002, RYDC profits have been directed to Rangers Football Club’s youth programme - with almost £8 million provided so far.

For full details on RYDC’s growing portfolio of products – the Rangers Pools, Rangers Lotto, the Union Jackpot half-time draw, Scratchcards and Stadium Bricks - visit www.rydc.co.uk or call 0141 427 4914.