Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall has confirmed that Rangers are set to take on his side in a pre-season friendly at Firhill [Scottish Sun].
The Gers first-team squad, with the exception of a few internationals, are returning to training this week ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
It’s set to be a crucial pre-season as not only is a strong start to a title defence important but Gerrard’s side also have key Champions League qualifiers to prepare for.
There has already been some upheaval in terms of the Gers’ schedule, with Portugal’s removal from the green list reportedly scuppering plans to head to the Algarve for a camp [Scottish Sun].
A glamour tie against Arsenal is definitely in the diary for mid-July, though, and now Jags boss McCall has confirmed that a star-studded Gers side will also be in action in Maryhill.
“It’s a fantastic game,” he said [Scottish Sun]. “I’ve spoken to Steven [Gerrard] and Gary [McAllister] and it’s Rangers’ full team. All the heavy hitters, all the new signings.”
“Hopefully we’ll have 1,000 fans, I don’t know the number really. We could have a vast number of Rangers fans in here although they can see it on RangersTV.
“I’m sure they’ll all want to see their team for the first time after they stopped ten in a row, which was a big big deal for Rangers.”
If a limited number of spectators are allowed and the clash takes place before the Arsenal friendly, it’ll be the first time the Gers have played in front of a crowd in Glasgow since 12th March 2020.
McCall’s comments about ‘heavy hitters’ and ‘new signings’ suggest that both Fashion Sakala and Nnamdi Ofoborh will be involved, while space will no doubt be left in the squad for any targets who are snapped up prior to the game.
With travel infinitely more challenging right now than in previous years, it makes sense to stay as local as possible for pre-season and a fixture against the 2020/21 League One champions has the potential to be a good workout.
Ryan Kent could be involved against the Jags and here’s what a journalist has had to say on the chances of him joining Leeds United this summer.
