Rangers v Newcastle United: Glasgow giants can get a result

• Newcastle scraped win at Gateshead

• Rangers honouring veteran keeper

• Hosts have strong record at Ibrox

Rangers v Newcastle
Tuesday 18 July, 19:45
Live on Rangers TV

Djurgardens did their bit for us last night, but Malmo failed to come to the party, failing to score for the first time this season in a 2-0 defeat. That left us a goal short to give us a disappointing start to the week.

We don't often cover friendlies on FBOTD, but we're making a few exceptions over the next few weeks, starting with the clash between Rangers and Newcastle. The game is a testimonial for long-serving Rangers keeper Allan McGregor, and as a result it'll be a sell-out crowd at Ibrox.

Rangers failed to win a trophy last term, and in his first full season at the helm Michael Beale hopes to stop Celtic winning yet another league title. The Bhoys finished seven points clear of them last term, and knocked them out of both domestic cup competitions.

Beale has rung the changes, with the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Antonio Colak and Ryan Kent bidding farewell to Glasgow, and strikers Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers coming in. Steven Davis and Connor Goldson are both injured, while Leon King has been sidelined by a serious ankle problem.

Newcastle are looking forward to a season in the Champions League, but Magpies boss Eddie Howe knows it'll be a tough ask to balance a season in Europe's VIP club with continued domestic success. New signing Sandro Tonali represents a statement of intent, but there is still plenty of work to do in the market to get Newcastle ready.

The Magpies came back from 2-0 down to win a recent friendly against Gateshead by three goals to two, with Howe admitting their fitness was still well short of where he wants it to be. Goalkeeper Nick Pope has been sidelined by a wrist injury, so Karl Darlow is expected to deputise.

With Rangers playing in front of a sell-out crowd, and likely to field a side that is a lot closer to their strongest available XI than the one Newcastle will select, I fancy them to pick up at least a draw here. Newcastle seem a little short at 1.84/5, and it's worth noting that Rangers haven't lost a game at Ibrox since a Champions League defeat to Ajax in November. I'll lay the visitors.