An Ibrox source has told Rangers News that this afternoon’s behind closed doors fixture against Leicester City was “exactly what we needed.”
There was no coverage of the game via the club’s social media channels, but our source confirmed that all fit Gers players who haven’t been in international action, played some part in the contest.
James Tavernier skippered the Gers XI in the Ibrox bounce game. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
While it “wasn’t a heavy fixture”, it was “just the right kind” of game to keep the players ticking over ahead of a return to Premiership action on Sunday.
There was also confirmation on the make-up of the opposition.
Age-group Leicester side challenge Rangers at Ibrox
The source said that while “none of their established stars” featured, Leicester fielded a genuine U23 team, similar to the kind of side they would deploy in Premier League 2 football.
Brendan Rodgers didn’t send any of his first-team players up for the fixture. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
It was always unlikely that the Foxes would have their big guns on display, with the vast majority of their first team away on international duty.
Yet, this was clearly still a hugely beneficial workout for the Gers squad, against stiff opposition.
Hopefully, it means there’ll be no rustiness on display against Accies on Sunday, with Steven Gerrard’s side needing to keep the pressure on Celtic at the top of the Premiership table [BBC Sport].
This weekend sees the start of a tough run of fixtures, with Rangers playing either away from home or at a neutral venue in four of their next five matches.