NEW Rangers signings Scott Arfield, Jon Flanagan, Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic all featured in the Ibrox club’s 3-1 victory over The New Saints in a pre-season friendly at the Hummel Training Centre this afternoon.
Steven Gerrard, who was taking charge of his first game since being appointed manager of the Glasgow club back in May, fielded two different outfield line-ups in the meeting with the Welsh champions.
Katic, the Croatian defender who joined from NK Slaven Belup this summer, started the match and, despite the visitors opening the scoring in the first minute, looked commanding in the air alongside youngster Kyle Bradley.
Rangers drew level through development squad player Serge Atakayi in the fourth minute and could have taken the lead before half-time when they were awarded a penalty. But Andy Halliday had his spot kick saved by Paul Harrison.
Ryan Jack, who missed the second half of the 2017/18 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury against Motherwell in December, started and forced a good save from Harrison before going off at half-time.
Goldson took over from Katic at half-time and the former Brighton defender impressed with his passing during the 45 minutes he was on the park.
The Glasgow club, who take on Shkupi of Macedonia in the first leg of their Europa League first qualifying round tie at Ibrox on Thursday, sewed up a comfortable win with two goals in the second-half.
With former Falkirk and Burnley midfielder Arfield and ex-Liverpool player Flanagan both coming on, Gerrard’s side scored through Jamie Murphy and Ross McCrorie.
Murphy netted after some good work by Josh Windass and Alfredo Morelos while McCrorie, whose brother Robbie took over from Jak Alnwick in goals for the final 15 minutes, rifled in a deflected shot from full 25 yards out.
Rangers will play their first match under Liverpool and England great Gerrard in front of their own supporters on Friday evening when they host English League Two club Bury at Ibrox.
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