Rangers will continue their preparations for the 2021-22 campaign with a clash against League Two outfit Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Scottish champions began their pre-season with a 1-0 victory over Patrick Thistle on Monday, but this weekend's clash will represent Tranmere's first match since the end of their 2020-21 season.

Match preview

Tranmere finished seventh in League Two last season, which saw them claim a spot in the playoffs, but they were eliminated in the semi-finals, having suffered a 3-2 defeat to Morecambe over two legs.

As a result, Rovers will again compete in the fourth tier last season, and there is no question that they will be looking to push high up the table once again.

Tranmere have four confirmed friendlies before the start of their 2021-22 campaign against Walsall on August 7, taking on Rangers, Stalybridge Celtic, Warrington Town and Sunderland.

Saturday's clash with Rangers will, on paper at least, be their toughest test, and Micky Mellon will be looking to build the fitness of his players over the next few weeks.

A number of players have moved on since the end of last season, but there have also been plenty of incomings, with the likes of Joe Maguire, Chris Merrie and Tom Davies arriving at Prenton Park.

Rangers, meanwhile, opened their preparations for next season with a 1-0 victory over Scottish League One champions Partick Thistle on Monday.

Cedric Itten scored the only goal of the contest for the Gers, who had six academy graduates in their first XI, with head coach Steven Gerrard handing chances to a number of younger players.

Rangers have five confirmed friendlies ahead of their Scottish Premiership opener against Livingston on July 31, taking on Tranmere, Arsenal, Blackpool, Brighton & Hove Albion and Real Madrid, with the fixture against the Spanish giants being confirmed on Thursday.

The clash with Real Madrid will be the Scottish outfit's final test ahead of their season opener, but there is a lot of football to be played before then, and Gerrard will be looking to build the fitness of his key players in the coming weeks, as well as handing opportunities to a number of youngsters.

Rangers enjoyed an incredible 2020-21 season in the Scottish Premiership, remaining unbeaten across 38 matches to collect 102 points, which saw them comfortably win their first title since 2011.

Team News

Tranmere boss Mellon will need to assess the fitness of his players ahead of this weekend's contest, but there are expected to be a number of debutants for the League Two side.

Maguire, Merrie and Davies have been joined by Paul Glatzel, Josh Dacres-Cogley, Liam Feeney, Ryan Watson, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe and Nathaniel Knight-Percival as newcomers this summer.

Mellon is likely to use some youngsters, meanwhile, with 17-year-old forward Jamie Timlin pushing to be involved, potentially off the bench.

As for Rangers, Scott Wright, Glenn Middleton, Jordan Jones, George Edmundson and Leon King were among the starters on Monday, but Gerrard is expected to make changes from the start here.

James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Steven Davis, Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe could all potentially come in from the first whistle, while Itten might be involved from the start.

Jermain Defoe was also among the starters for his side's first pre-season match, but he could drop down to the bench here before potentially coming on in the second period.

Rangers have confirmed the signing of John Lundstram, meanwhile, and there is a chance that the 27-year-old could make his debut for the Scottish champions against Tranmere.

We say: Tranmere Rovers 0-2 Rangers

Rangers will bring a strong squad to Prenton Park, and we are finding it difficult to predict anything other than a comfortable victory for the Scottish champions, who should have too much for their opponents.

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