As Rangers’ pre-season plans begin to really take shape with reports of a trip to Blackpool in July, Rangers News have learned that the Light Blues could host Premier League side West Ham at Ibrox.
David Moyes’ Europa League semi-finalists are understood to be heading to Glasgow on July 19, four days before Rangers host Tottenham in their final pre-season fixture.
The Gers are also reported to be heading to face Blackpool, with July 16 mooted as the date for the trip to Bloomfield Road, with a friendly against Sunderland in Portugal also scheduled for Gio van Bronckhorst’s side.
A number of sources we have spoken to have also heard a clash between the Gers and the Hammers could take place this summer, with West Ham also understood to have been in talks with a second Scottish side – believed to be Hearts – over a friendly north of the border.
The two sides were reportedly due to have met in 2020 before Covid intervened and halted all football at the time.
If West Ham do make the trip to Glasgow, there will likely be a sizeable number of Hammers fans who will head for Ibrox – with some having joined the Bears in Seville after booking Europa League final journey’s only to lose out in the semis.
The Hammers have friendlies against Ipswich Town (July 12), Reading (July 16) and Luton Town (July 23).
It would only be the second time that the sides have met with Gio van Bronckhorst looking for his side to get ready for the new season with a number of challenging friendlies.
The Gers kick off the Scottish Premiership season on July 30 when they head across the M8 to face David Martindale’s Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Rangers potential pre-season friendly schedule
Rangers v Partick Thistle – Firhill – July 2 (Confirmed)
Rangers v Sunderland – Estádio Municipal de Albufeira – July 9 (Confirmed)
Rangers v Blackpool – Bloomfield Road – July 16 – Bloomfield Road (Report)
Rangers v West Ham – Ibrox – July 19
Rangers v Tottenham – Ibrox – July 23 (Confirmed)