RANGERS are confident they can reach the last 16 of the Europa League after being drawn to face Braga of Portugal in the first knockout round yesterday, according to Ibrox forward Greg Stewart.

Steven Gerrard’s men avoided being pitted against the likes of Arsenal, Inter Milan, Manchester United or Sevilla in Nyon yesterday afternoon.

They will take on Braga in the first leg of the last 32 tie in Glasgow on Thursday, February 20, and then face Ricardo Sa Pinto’s team again away six days later.

Braga topped Group K after winning four and drawing two of their six games, but they are currently ninth in the Primeira Liga.

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Rangers drew with and beat Porto, who are currently 14 points clear of their domestic rivals in second spot in their national league, in Group G and Stewart feels they have a good chance of progressing.

“I thought it was a good draw and one that we will look forward to,” he said. “Some of the boys wanted the big hitters like the Inter Milans and Manchester Uniteds.

“We’ve done well in Europe this season and it’s another game that we’ll look forward to and have confidence that we can get through.

“I think it’s an excellent draw for us. It’s a game we feel we can definitely win over two legs. We played against probably a Portuguese Champions League team in Porto so we’ll be feeling confident with that draw.”