Bayer Leverkusen stand between Rangers and a Europa League quarter-final spot in this season's competition.

The draw for the last-16 took place in Nyon earlier this afternoon and pit Gers against the German football giants. The first-leg will be played at Ibrox on March 12 with the second 90 minutes being contested at the BayArena one week later.

A brilliant two-legged victory over Braga in the last-32 for Steven Gerrard's men will provide confidence that the Glasgow outfit can make it through, but it will be extremely tough. What should fans expect from Leverkusen, though?

Here's all you need to know about Peter Bosz's side.

How did Bayer Leverkusen make it through to the last-16?

One of the clubs filtering down from the Champions League this term, Leverkusen finished third in a seriously difficult UCL group which included Juventus and Atletico Madrid. They managed six points from their group games with victories over Lokomotiv Moscow and Atletico, though they were beaten twice by Serie A giants Juve.

One positive Rangers might take from their rivals' Champions League group stage is that they lost 2-1 at home on matchday one to Lokomotiv Moscow before they turned things around.

Back-to-back victories over FC Porto - a side Gers took four points from in their own group stages - sealed Leverkusen's passage into the last-16, beating them 2-1 in Germany and then 3-1 in Portugal.

How are they doing domestically?

Sitting fifth in the Bundesliga table, Leverkusen have had a strong showing in the league this term so far. There is only six points separating them and Bayern Munich who currently lead the pack.

An impressive 13 league wins and four draws leaves just six defeats against the likes of Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. And though they have suffered disappointing losses, they've also managed serious wins over Munich, Dortmund and VFB Stuttgart this season. They finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season.

Who are their key players?

Midfielder Kai Havertz is Leverkusen's serious dangerman. The £100million-rated playmaker has been linked with a summer switch to Manchester United and Liverpool in recent times.

The Herald:

Havertz has scored eight goals this season for his side but it's his influence on matches that has him listed as his team's biggest threat. Central defender Jonathan Tah is also a highly-rated player as is winger Leon Bailey. The latter has five goals in all competitions this season.

Star striker Kevin Volland has been ruled out for the season with an ankle injury, giving Steven Gerrard one less headache in his build-up, albeit just the one.

How much pedigree to Bayer Leverkusen have?

Leverkusen are former Champions League and UEFA Cup finalists in 2002 and 1988 respectively. They played Real Madrid in the Hampden Park showpiece when Zinedine Zidane struck his infamous wonder-volley.

The Herald:

Their recent form in Europa League has seen them make the last-16 five times from their previous 10 attempts while they were knocked out at the round of 32 in 2013.

Before then, Leverkusen made it to the quarter-finals two years in a row back in 2006/07 and 2007/08.