First test for Levin and Smith

Two coaches will make their debuts in this season's competition as Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC take on Rangers FC in the UEFA Cup Round of 32.

• Hapoel qualified for the Round of 32 as the third-placed side in UEFA Cup Group G. Rangers finished top of Group A.

• The two sides have never met in European competition.

• Hapoel have been drawn against Scottish opposition once before, losing 3-0 on aggregate against Rangers' local rivals Celtic FC in the first round of the 1999/00 UEFA Cup. Current Hapoel goalkeeper Shavit Elimelech and midfielder Salim Toema played in both legs of that tie.

• Rangers have played three games against Israeli opponents, winning 5-3 on aggregate against Beitar Jerusalem FC in a 1998/99 UEFA Cup first-round tie and then beating Maccabi Haifa FC 2-0 in this season's UEFA Cup group stage, with Nacho Novo and Charles Adam scoring the goals.

• The game will be Walter Smith's first European match in charge of Rangers since standing down as Scotland manager to replace Paul Le Guen during the winter break. He almost guided Rangers to the 1992/93 UEFA Champions League final during his first spell at Ibrox.

• The second leg will be played on 22 February. The aggregate winners will face FC Girondins de Bordeaux or CA Osasuna in the Round of 16, playing the home leg on 8 March and the away second leg a week later.