RANGERS Football Club’s 150 years has seen countless memories created, not only with regular, record-breaking success at home, but also in continental competition, where the club have enjoyed so many phenomenal nights.
It has seen the club become a name which resonates right around the continent with football supporters of all generations, and this coming year, of course, will see the Light Blues become the first major European club to reach that milestone of 150 years.
It seems rather fitting, therefore, that the club can today confirm another of Europe’s major clubs as the opposition for the final pre-season fixture for Steven Gerrard’s side.
13-time Champions of Europe Real Madrid, led by Carlo Ancelotti, will visit Ibrox on Sunday, July 25, as the final test ahead of competitive action beginning six days later on Saturday, July 31.
Only once before have Rangers welcomed Los Blancos to Govan - that meeting coming in season 1963/64 in the first round of the European Cup.
Then, both sides would have had genuine ambitions of going all the way in the tournament, and over 80,000 packed Ibrox to see a side well-renowned in the city following their 7-3 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the final of the competition at Hampden three years earlier.
A 1-0 loss with the great Ferenc Puskas netting the winner with just four minutes left was followed by a 6-0 loss at the Bernabeu – that man Puskas netting a hat-trick on that night with Real going on to reach the final.
This meeting is sure to be a superb occasion, and a fantastic test for Steven Gerrard’s side ahead of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers as two of European football’s most famous names go head to head.
Ticketing information will be communicated in due course, and RangersTV will be the only place broadcasting the match.
Our Football Business Award-nominated coverage will continue, with all five of Gers’ remaining pre-season matches shown live.
A special July Match Pass granting access to all five games will be available for just £29.95, and covers the Tranmere, Arsenal, Blackpool, Brighton and Real Madrid matches - BUY NOW.