Kenny Miller hopes Rangers can build some Europa League momentum ahead of new Premiership campaign

Pedro Caixinha’s side start their season against Progres Niederkorn tonight as they return to continental competition after a six-year absence.

A meeting with AEL Limassol or St Joseph’s awaits the winner in what is the second of four ties the Gers must overcome if they are to reach the group stages this term.

Read more: Derek Johnstone: Rangers have made progress off the park - now Pedro Caixinha needs to build some momentum on it​

Rangers will kick-off their second season back in the Premiership with a trip to Motherwell on Saturday, August 5 as they attempt to recover from a nightmare campaign last time out.

It will be a new-look Light Blues side that take to the field and striker Miller is determined to hit the ground running on home soil.

He said: “That’s why you're in it, if you’re not going to give everything you’ve got and aim towards that then you’re never going to get there.

“We’re looking at the group stage, we’ve got this game and we’ve got to get through this, obviously we know the opposition in the next round if we get there. Come the latter rounds there’s going to be some big teams involved, so there’s luck of the draw and luck in the games and a lot of hard work if we are going to get there.

Read more: Derek Johnstone: Rangers have made progress off the park - now Pedro Caixinha needs to build some momentum on it​

“We’re definitely going to be in a better place physically to attack that first game of the season.

“Normally the first league game is the first game of the season, which for a lot of teams it will be, then you may have had four or five pre-season warm-up matches but those aren’t competitive games.

“You speak to any player and they’ll say it could be six or seven games into the actual league season before they are hitting match sharpness, match fitness.

“So we’ve got this opportunity to get some real competitive fixtures under our belt and going into that first league game I’d like to think, if we get to where we hope we’re going to get, we’re going to be right up to speed come that first game against Motherwell.”

While Rangers are attempting to see off Progres tonight, St Johnstone will look to emerge victorious at McDiarmid Park when they face FK Trakai of Lithuania.

Aberdeen are already in the second round and are awaiting the winners of the tie between Ordabasy and NK Siroki Brijeg.

Read more: Derek Johnstone: Rangers have made progress off the park - now Pedro Caixinha needs to build some momentum on it​

It is a tough ask for the Scottish contingent to go all the way and reach the group stages but Miller knows every result is crucial for our continental co-efficient.

He said: “Rangers is all about winning trophies but, obviously, through winning leagues and cups you get the opportunity to play in Europe.

“We have a big part to play because we’re looking at the coefficient as well for the Scottish, and if we can win and go through then the better it would be.

“We might not have to go through these kind of processes in years to come. It’s a long road.

“I remember when we had two places in the Champions League which is a long way off now. We have a responsibility to our club but also to the coefficient.

“You have to look after yourself first. We want to play in the group stages and if we can do that it goes hand in hand that the coefficient will go up. The more opportunities there will be to get into the group stages.

“So it is at the back of your mind but, for us, we are just looking forward to another European adventure.”