Couceiro could be bringing his new Kaunas side to Ibrox

Rangers' likely Champions League opponents FBK Kaunas have appointed Jose Couceiro as their new head coach.

The Portuguese has previously had spells in charge of CF Belenenses, Porto Vitoria, FC Alverca as well as the Portugal Under-21 side.

He replaces Andrei Zygmantovich, who remains part of the coaching staff.

Kaunas are favourites to meet Rangers in the second qualifying round as they lead first round opponents Santa Coloma 4-1 going into the second leg.

Andorran side Santa Coloma travel to Lithuania for the return leg on Tuesday with the winners of the tie due to face a Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday 30 July.

The date for the return leg of the second qualifying round will be decided following the outcome of the Kaunas against Santa Coloma clash.

Belarussian Zygmantovich was unable to coach Kaunas in Europe in an official capacity as he lacks the required licence and his assistant Arturas Ramoska took official charge of the Lithuanian side on such occasions.

Like Zygmantovich, Ramoska will remain part of Kaunas' coaching staff.

Should Rangers face Kaunas, recent signing Andrius Velicka could come up against his former club.

The Lithuanian had a spell on loan at Hearts from Kaunas and joined the Ibrox club from Viking Stravanger earlier this month.

He paid tribute to Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, who is also a principal shareholder in the bank which sponsors Kaunas.

Velicka told the Rangers website: "I had to work hard at Kaunas to get my chance to go to Hearts.

"If I am honest, no one from Lithuania will come from my country straight to Rangers.

"I have to thank Mr Romanov because he trusted me and he put faith in me when I was at Kaunas.

"He gave me my chance and at Hearts I proved to everyone what I could do."