Derby County have previewed their pre-season clash with Rangers on their official website.
The Gers confirmed on Friday that the Rams will come to Glasgow for a friendly fixture on Sunday 28 July. It will be the last of the club’s preparations for the new SPL season which kicks off a week later.
The game will see former Gers star Martyn Waghorn return to Ibrox. Furthermore, former England teammates Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard will go head-to-head as managers for the first time.
Derby are sure to provide stiff competition. They came within a whisker of securing promotion to the Premier League last season, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in last month’s Championship play-off final.
Ahead of the game, Derby have picked out Rangers’ key man for the fixture.
They’ve gone for Scott Arfield.
That’s perhaps unsurprising on the back of his end of season form.
Having already enjoyed an impressive maiden season for the Light Blues, he started banging in the goals in April and May when Stevie G granted him a more advanced role.
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After mentioning his Premier League pedigree, Derby’s write up on Arfield read: “The midfielder scored 12 goals for the Gers last campaign and proved to be an influential figure, both in their league season and in their European campaign.”
He’s currently showing his influence on the international stage, too.
The 30-year-old played captained and scored for Canada in their CONCACAF Gold Cup opening fixture against Martinique on Tuesday.
We’re sure Gerrard will want to rest his asset as much as possible when he returns from international duty next month.
Yet, if he does turn out against Derby, he’s sure to cause the Championship heavyweights a few problems.
