Pre-Season In Focus: Rangers

Derby County will head to Ibrox on Sunday 28th July (3pm kick-off) to take on Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the 2019/20 season.

Rangers are considered as a footballing giant in Scotland. They have won the most league titles with 54, whilst they have also won the Scottish Cup 33 times and the Scottish League Cup 27 times.

Whilst they did drop into the Third Division of Scottish Football in 2012, after being demoted for off-the-field matters, they have rapidly rose back up the leagues and finished second in the 2018/19 campaign in the top flight.

Manager – Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard’s career speaks for itself. Regarded as one of England’s best midfielders, Gerrard made the step into management at the start of the 2018/19 campaign.

His playing career was illustrious. A one-club man in English football, he won the Champions League and FA Cup for Liverpool and made over 700 appearances in all competitions.

His debut came in 1998 as he appeared in a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, whilst he was handed his international debut in 2000.

He appeared in World Cups, European Championships and earned over 100 caps for England, as well as captaining his country.

Gerrard rounded off his playing career in the MLS, turning out for LA Galaxy in their 2015 and 2016 seasons before retiring.

Last season, Gerrard guided Rangers to their best finish since they were relegated to Scottish Third Division. They finished second behind Celtic and beat their rivals on two occasions, both at Ibrox, the first time that happened since their return to the top flight.

They will be hoping to continue the progression they have made in recent years as they look to challenge for the title next season.

Key Man – Scott Arfield

Whilst Alfredo Morelos grabs the headlines for his goals, grabbing 30 last season, midfielder Scott Arfield is a key player at Ibrox and boasts Premier League experience.

Arfield broke on to the scene at a young age as he made over 100 appearances for Falkirk between 2007-10. He made his debut at the age of 18 as he starred in a 4-0 victory over Gretna.

He scored 13 goals over a three-year spell before making the move south to join then-League One side Huddersfield Town.

He spent three years with the Terriers and helped them gain promotion to the Championship in 2012 as they beat Sheffield United in the Play-Off Final.

After making over 100 appearances for Huddersfield, he was released in 2013. He joined Burnley on trial and would eventually go on to sign permanently.

Arfield enjoyed five seasons at Turf Moor and help guide them to the Premier League in his first season with the club.

Although they suffered relegation in their first campaign, he would help them regain promotion for a second time in 2016.

Over his five year spell, he made 193 appearances and scored 22 goals before moving north of the border to join Rangers, as Steven Gerrard's first signing at Ibrox, where he signed a four-year deal.

The midfielder scored 12 goals for the Gers last campaign and proved to be an influential figure, both in their league season and in their European campaign.

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