Gers were defeated 2-1 over the 90 minutes in what was a strong pre-season test for Michael Beale’s men ahead of the 2023/24 season. Newcastle were ahead inside the first 15 minutes through Miguel Almiron before a second-half goal from summer signing Sam Lammers levelled the scoring. A late header from Harrison Ashby saw Newcastle to the 2-1 victory.
McGregor started between the sticks with a back four of James Tavernier, John Souttar, Ben Davies and Borna Barisic in front of him.
Kieran Dowell, Ryan Jack and John Lundstram started in midfield, with Todd Cantwell, Sam Lammers and Abdallah Sima completing the starting XI at Ibrox.
Newcastle handed a debut to new signing Sandro Tonali, who joined them earlier this month from AC Milan, with a strong line-up including the likes of Kieran Trippier, Callum Wislon and Miguel Almiron.
An early ball forward from Trippier in search of Callum Wilson was gathered by McGregor in what was a fast-paced start to this friendly.
It was the visitors who managed to get the breakthrough at Ibrox with 15 minutes on the clock as Elliot Anderson drove forward with the ball before playing in Miguel Almiron who curled a low left-footed strike out of the reach of McGregor and into the bottom corner of the net.
Rangers had their first real chance of the match just before the half-hour point. It was a good bit of build-up play from Beale’s men as Todd Cantwell linked-up well with Sam Lammers who took a touch into the area before releasing a shot at goal but it was held by Loris Karius.
Almost instantly at the other end, John Souttar managed to block an Almiron shot to deny Newcastle a second goal, after he was played in by Callum Wilson.
Kieran Dowell was next to come close to getting on target for Rangers as he found space on the edge of the box after a good ball from Sam Lammers but his right-footed strike was wide of Karius’ left-hand post.
Dowell was again involved for Rangers as he fed the ball into the path of Todd Cantwell, but he was unable to keep his shot on target as it bounced wide of the post.
With 38 minutes on the clock, there was a standing ovation around Ibrox as Allan McGregor made his way off the pitch having made his final appearance for Rangers. It was an emotional moment as players, supporters and staff showed their appreciation for the goalkeeper.
McGregor shared a message on the touchline with incoming number 1, Jack Butland, before he entered the pitch for his first Ibrox appearance.
Michael Beale named two changes to his side at the break with Fashion Jr and Leon Balogun introduced in place of Kieran Dowell and Ben Davies before further substitutions saw Nico Raskin, Ianis Hagi and Ridvan called into action.
Gers had a goal back with 64 minutes on the clock and it was a first for summer signing Sam Lammers. The Dutchman was alert to a ball out from the back from Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow to win the ball in a dangerous position and showed composure to send a right-footed shot into the back of the net.
Another four changes for Beale’s side saw Johnly Yfeko, Bailey Rice, Scott Wright and Rabbi Matondo come on in place of John Souttar, Sam Lammers, Todd Cantwell and Abdallah Sima.
Ianis Hagi had a chance to give Rangers the lead in the final 10 minutes of the match as Nico Raskin fed the ball into the path of Fashion Jr, who broke at pace before cutting the ball back to Hagi but his curling shot was wide.
It was Newcastle that got the goal late on as Alex Isak crossed the ball into the path of Harrison Ashby who headed beyond Butland before Karl Darlow pulled of a strong save in added time to deny Alex Lowry an equaliser.
RANGERS: McGregor (Butland, 38), Tavernier (Lowry, 81) Souttar (Yfeko, 71), Davies (Balogun, 46), Barisic (Ridvan, 60) Lundstram (Raskin, 60), Jack (Hagi, 60), Cantwell (Matondo, 71), Dowell (Fashion Jr, 46), Sima (Wright, 71), Lammers (Rice, 71).
Subs: McCrorie, Mayo, McKinnon.
Newcastle United: Karius, Trippier, Botman, Schar, Wilson, Lewis, Targett, Tonali, Almiron, Anderson, Longstaff.
Subs: Darlow, Gillespie, Dummett, Gordon, Isak, Manquillo, Ashby, Burn, Guimaraes, White, Turner-Cooke, Parkinson, Miley, Murphy.