DAVID BATES is relishing his first taste of European competition as Rangers get set to make their return to the Europa League next week.

The Light Blues rounded off their pre-season schedule with a goalless draw against St Johnstone at Auchenhowie on Thursday afternoon.

Bates played for just over an hour alongside Fabio Cardoso as boss Pedro Caixinha saw his side in action for the third time this summer.

Rangers have also had bounce games against Coleraine and The New Saints as part of their preparations for the new campaign.

Progres Niederkorn will make the trip to Ibrox on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League qualifier.

And defender Bates is eager to make his mark on the continent after being handed his chance to impress in the final weeks of last season.

He told rangers.co.uk: “Getting back into Europe is massive for Rangers and everyone at the club; hopefully I will be part of the squad.

“Everyone is buzzing around here, we were all watching the draw, we streamed it online to watch.

“I never wanted to come here, sign and play 20s, I wanted to push into the first team so when I got my chance I had to try and grab it with both hands.

“The run I had at the end of the season was good for me personally and hopefully I can kick on from here.

“They never had many chances and we could have created a lot more in the final third, that comes down to us playing forward passes and trying to get the forward players more involved as well. We can all learn from these games.

“Pre-season has been different, it’s been a lot different to what I have had before at other clubs.

“There is a lot of ball work compared with other managers I have worked with.

“We came in and have had a few tough days, long days but all the boys are enjoying it.”