Rangers to play Manchester City in pre-season friendly

RANGERS have confirmed they will host Manchester City in a pre-season friendly.

The Scottish champions continue their preparations for the defence of their title with the clash at Ibrox on August 4 or 5.

The date for the meeting with Mark Hughes' side will be confirmed once the draw has been made for Glasgow rivals Celtic's Champions League third qualifying round in mid July.

Rangers also face fellow Barclays Premier League outfits Arsenal and Portsmouth over the summer and boss Walter Smith is relishing the prospect of facing more top names.

Brazilians Robinho and Elano will likely join England internationals Shaun Wright-Phillips, Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards for the trip north of the border, while former Celtic striker Craig Bellamy is also expected to play some part in the match.

Smith said: "Manchester City have a squad packed with quality and this match will give us another good test ahead of the new SPL season.

"I know our fans will enjoy watching players of the calibre of Robinho, Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz and it should be an entertaining game.

"We have an exciting pre-season programme lined up following our three-game trip to Germany with matches against Arsenal and Paris St Germain in the Emirates Cup, Portsmouth at Fratton Park and now Manchester City so our players will certainly benefit from competing against teams of this calibre."

Tickets go on sale to season ticket holders from July 1 and on public sale, subject to availability, from July 14.