Rangers to host Newcastle United in Ibrox friendly

Rangers will host Newcastle United in a pre-season friendly at Ibrox next month. Alan Pardew’s side will travel to Glasgow on Tuesday, 6 August, to test Ally McCoist’s squad ahead of the new league campaign.

Rangers' Ally McCoist. Picture: SNS

Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul, Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote and Argentinian stars Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez are all expected to feature.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist told the club’s official website: “We have enjoyed a positive pre-season so far and we are all looking forward to our final warm-up match against Newcastle before the league campaign begins.

“Newcastle have a strong squad, packed with international players and they will provide a great test for our players.

“I am sure both sets of supporters will be keen to fill Ibrox and take in such a high-profile game before the serious league business gets underway.”

McCoist has been dealt a fresh injury blow with the news that Kyle Hutton has suffered ankle ligament damage.

The midfielder sustained the injury during training with the Ibrox squad in Germany on Thursday and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. His injury follows a similar problem suffered by Ross Perry earlier this month, with the ­defender set to miss the start of the season.

Speaking about Hutton, ­skipper Lee McCulloch said: “Over the close season I trained a wee bit with him as he wanted to be a lot ­fitter than he was last season. He got himself in peak condition and in pre-season so far he’s probably been our best player. We all feel for him right now.”

Meanwhile, Rangers also confirmed they have reached a “mutual agreement” with Francisco Sandaza to end his employment with the club.