Lee Wallace predicts when Rangers could be back in Europe

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Mark Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers side narrowly missed out on Europe last season.

Lee Wallace celebrates after scoring the first goal for Rangers

Lee Wallace has predicted that Rangers could be back playing in Europe once again next season, and even hinted that the Champions League may not be out of their reach, The Scottish Sun reports.

The Gers’ previous financial struggles have meant that they have not competed in a continental competition since the 2011/12 campaign when they failed to make the group-stages of both the Champions League and Europa League.

Rangers are looking to emulate Celtic’s achievement this season by reaching the Champions League group-stages

But after returning to the highest level and watching Celtic compete in the group-stages of Europe’s premier competition, Wallace is confident that Mark Warburton’s men can replicate that feat in the very near future.

“I’m watching Barcelona-Manchester City last night and of course there is envy there. You want to be playing at those levels,” he said, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

“That’s why I came to this club. That’s why a number of guys have signed for this club. As a Rangers player that’s where you want to be.

“But we know how we’re going to get there. It will take hard work but hopefully this time next season we’re in a similar position.”

With the Hoops well out in front in the Scottish Premiership, it would certainly take a monumental effort from the Light Blues for them to qualify for next season’s Champions League, though it is not out of the question at this early stage.

However, Rangers should have more than enough belief that they can at least make it into the Europa League. Last season, the club were one game away from qualifying for the competition but ultimately missed out as Hibernian won the Scottish Cup final.

This time however, they have two chances to make it as, as well as through the Scottish Cup, they know that finishing either second or third in the top flight will be enough.

And given that qualification for the Europa League may help them attract better players, it may not be as long as some may think before they are back at Europe’s top table.