As they aim to rebound from last season's disappointments, Rangers prepare for the new season with a friendly against Blackpool on Saturday afternoon.
The teams meet at Bloomfield Road, with the Gers travelling south of the border to face opponents who fared well on their return to the Championship last term.
Match preview
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Stepping up preparations for their first competitive game of the 2022-23 campaign, at Livingston on July 31, Rangers can tackle their next warm-up match with some new faces on board.
Having added Derby County star Tom Lawrence and Wales winger Rabbi Matondo to their ranks recently, last season's Scottish Premiership runners-up are also readying themselves for the Champions League qualifiers later this month.
Though the Light Blues were unable to retain the league title, they still enjoyed a memorable 2021-22 campaign, which saw them reach the finals of both the Europa League and Scottish Cup.
A penalty shootout defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in their first European final since 2008 was followed by a 2-0 triumph against Hearts in the cup, which saw the Glasgow side lift the trophy for the 34th time.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is building towards his first full season in charge at Ibrox, after replacing Steven Gerrard in November last year, but the former Netherlands international saw his plans struck down by some ill fortune last Saturday.
Due to an electrical failure, a friendly encounter with Sunderland was abandoned at half time - with Rangers trailing 1-0 - so he will hope events proceed more smoothly at Bloomfield Road, ahead of further pre-season tests back at Ibrox, versus Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
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Blackpool welcome Rangers to the Lancashire coast under new management for the upcoming campaign, after Neil Critchley departed to take up a role as Gerrard's assistant at Aston Villa.
Since losing their head coach, the Tangerines have appointed former Lincoln boss Michael Appleton, who returns to Bloomfield Road for a second stint after spending a short spell at the club back in 2012.
Having begun their pre-season schedule with a 2-0 victory over National League North side Southport, they faced a tougher test last Thursday, when taking on Premier League opposition.
A 4-0 defeat to Leeds United will leave the Championship outfit seeking a morale boost before the new season kicks off, and they will also have the opportunity to find one against either Everton and Salford City in the coming days.
With just a fortnight to go until the action starts for real, when Blackpool host Reading on the opening day, Appleton is still hoping to bolster a squad which finished 16th last season, but he can at least run the rule over his current crop again this weekend.
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Team News
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Rangers could name a strong side after their last friendly outing was prematurely curtailed, and several new signings are set to be involved.
Former Derby captain Tom Lawrence has been snapped up on a free transfer, and the 23-cap Wales international is in line to start on the wing, given Ianis Hagi's continued absence through injury.
Lawrence was the second player to arrive at Ibrox last week, following the capture of Croatian striker Antonio Colak from PAOK, and another Welsh winger, Rabbi Matondo, signed from Schalke for an undisclosed fee.
Defensive mainstay Connor Goldson has signed a new deal at the club, and he could be partnered by ex-Hearts defender John Souttar, whose move to Glasgow was arranged back in January.
Meanwhile, Blackpool have seen Ethan Robson join MK Dons on a free transfer this summer, but a lack of transfer activity otherwise means that their squad remains similar to last term.
Since the end of that campaign, CJ Hamilton has become a full Republic of Ireland international, and the wide-man will most likely feature in Michael Appleton's first home game back at Bloomfield.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Connolly, Ekpiteta, Keogh, Garbutt; Carey, Stewart, Dougall; Bowler, Hamilton, Yates
Rangers possible starting lineup:
McLaughlin; Tavernier, Souttar, Goldson, Bassey; Lundstram, Sands, Kamara; Lawrence, Sakala, Matondo
We say: Blackpool 0-2 Rangers
Rangers continue to reintegrate a number of their first-team players as the new season draws nearer, and the Glaswegian giants are likely to be too strong for their hosts on Saturday, winning by two clear goals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
