Rangers will host Real Madrid in a left-handed match at Ibrox this summer as they celebrate their 150th anniversary.
Steven Gerrard’s side preparations for the 2021/22 season are already well underway, with Gers aiming to defend his Scottish Premier League title and having ruined it from city rivals Celtic for the first time since 2011.
The club have already confirmed friendly matches against Premier League duo Arsenal and Brighton as well as collisions with lower league rivals Tranmere and Blackpool, and now they have announced the most glamorous outing of them all – a left against Real Madrid before the season.
The Spanish giants will visit Ibrox on Sunday, July 25, with the club on its official website to announce the news.
“Rangers’ 150 years have seen countless memories created, not only with regular, record-breaking success at home but also in continental competitions, where the club has had so many phenomenal nights,” the statement said.
Rangers tasted success for Scottish Premiere last / Ian MacNicol / Getty Images
“It has seen the club become a name that resonates right around the continent with football fans of all generations, and in the coming year, of course, Light Blues will be the first major European club to reach that milestone in 150 years.
“It therefore seems quite fitting that the club today can confirm one of Europe’s big clubs as an opponent for the last fixture before the season for Steven Gerrard’s side. 13-time European champions Real Madrid, led by Carlo Ancelotti, will visit Ibrox on Sunday July 25, as the final test before competition events starting six days later on Saturday 31
The statement went on to recall the only second meeting in Glasgow between the couple, where the friendly match was used as a warm-up event before Gerrard’s side’s Scottish Premiership campaign started.
“Only once before have the Rangers welcomed Los Blancos to Govan – that meeting will take place during the 1963/64 season in the first round of the European Cup.
Steven Gerrard goes head-to-head with Carlo Ancelotti / Ian MacNicol / Getty Images
“Then both sides would have had genuine ambitions to go all the way in the tournament, and over 80,000 packed Ibrox to see a side well known in the city after their 7-3 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the final of the competition at Hampden three years earlier.
“A 1-0 loss to the great Ferenc Puskas who netted the winner with just four minutes left was followed by a 6-0 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu – the man Puskas who scored a hat-trick on that night with Real went on to reach the final.
“This meeting is certainly a fantastic opportunity and a fantastic test for Steven Gerrard’s side ahead of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, as two of Europe’s most famous names are coming face to face.”
