STEVEN GERRARD has named his side as Rangers continue their 150th anniversary celebrations with a commemorative friendly match against Real Madrid at Ibrox tonight.
Not since 1963 have the sides met, and as well as this evening’s game being a hugely special occasion, it will be a fine test for the Light Blues with the competitive action now just six days away.
The manager has been able to name Fil Helander in his starting XI today following his return from the Euros, and he joins Connor Goldson, James Tavernier and Borna Barisic in a back four with Allan McGregor in nets behind them.
Steven Davis and John Lundstram are the two deep-lying midfielders, with Scott Wright, Ianis Hagi, Ryan Kent and Fashion Sakala completing the XI for Gers.
Robby McCrorie, Calvin Bassey, Cedric Itten, Jack Simpson, Nathan Patterson, Glen Kamara, Jordan Jones, Leon Balogun, Stephen Kelly, Scott Arfield and Glenn Middleton are all available to boss Gerrard from the bench today.
It’s a 6pm kick-off here in roasting hot Govan, and if you haven’t been lucky enough to get a ticket for today’s game, it’s live on RangersTV – Emma Dodds has Neil McCann and Alan Hutton as her guests, before it’s over to Clive Tyldesley and Kevin Thomson for full commentary.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier (c), Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Davis, Lundstram, Wright, Hagi, Kent, Sakala.
SUBS: McCrorie, Bassey, Itten, Simpson, Patterson, Kamara, Jones, Balogun, Kelly, Arfield, Middleton.
🆕 Today's #RangersFC team to face @realmadrid at Ibrox.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 25, 2021
🗒️ Full Team News: https://t.co/VVHZTyoLeS
📺 Watch Live on RangersTV: https://t.co/nLczsr3Wob pic.twitter.com/opRKhhm3fi
📋✅ ¡Nuestro 𝗫𝗜 inicial 🆚 @RangersFC!@Liberbank | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/slJvStpGTm
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 25, 2021
This afternoon, the Light Blues will host Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid (kick-off 6pm) in their final pre-season test against the 13-time Champions of Europe.
It’s a fitting end to pre-season as Rangers celebrate their 150th anniversary, with Emma Dodds and Neil McCann joined in the studio by Alan Hutton. Clive Tyldesley will be on commentary alongside Kevin Thomson.
It’s set to be a fantastic occasion at Ibrox and you can watch all the action for £9.99, with the game also included for anyone who has bought the pre-season pass and for unlimited RTV subscribers.