Rangers conclude pre-season with draw
Rangers concluded their pre-season schedule with a 0-0 draw against West Ham United at Ibrox Stadium. The match served as a final preparation for Rangers before their league campaign begins against Dundee United.
The fixture, held on Sunday, 26 July 2026, kicked off at 16:00. Supporters attending the game were advised of various matchday arrangements, including stadium entry procedures and parking information.
Matchday Information for Supporters
For those attending the match, season ticket smartcards were not active, with all supporters using e-tickets or QR codes. These were sent via email, with those on CCCS receiving theirs on Thursday, 23 July. Mobile-friendly e-tickets were in use, scannable directly from a mobile device. Supporters opting for print-at-home tickets were reminded to ensure the QR code size was recognisable by the turnstile system.
Turnstiles at Ibrox opened at 14:30. Due to an increased ticket allocation for the visiting West Ham United supporters, entry to the Broomloan Stand was expected to take longer than usual. Supporters in the Broomloan Front were directed to turnstiles 62-66, while those in the Broomloan Rear could use turnstiles 57-61. Other areas, including the Copland Rear, Main Stand Rear, and Govan East Corner, were also expected to experience queues closer to kick-off, and early arrival was encouraged.
The Rangers Fan Zone, presented by Park’s Motor Group, opened at 12:00 at Edmiston House, offering live entertainment, a bar, and food stalls. Entry was free with a valid match ticket, on a first-come, first-served basis. The Rangers Store and Edmiston House Café were open from 10:30. The venue operated a strict Challenge 25 Policy, requiring valid ID for entry for those under 18, who also needed to be accompanied by an adult.
Parking capacity on-site was significantly reduced, meaning general supporter parking was unavailable for purchase or on the day. Supporters parking within the stadium footprint (Argyle, Broomloan, and Ibrox Car Parks) were required to enter via the Broomloan Road entrance and park no later than 95 minutes before kick-off. A short delay was anticipated after the final whistle before vehicles could exit. Glasgow City Council enforces a pavement parking ban, with fines issued for illegal parking.
Public transport options included bus services 9 and 9A from Glasgow City Centre to Paisley Road West, a short walk from Ibrox Stadium, with an approximate journey time of 13 minutes and fares from £2.65. The Subway was scheduled to close at 20:00 on Sunday, with the last train departing Ibrox for the city centre at 19:32. Contactless payment was available on Subway gates. Bike racks were situated at both the Copland and Broomloan stands.
The stadium operated as a cashless venue, with all kiosks accepting card payments only. Various kiosks throughout the concourses offered hot and cold drinks, food, and snacks, including Black Rooster in the Sandy Jardine Rear concourse and outside the stadium footprint. Toilets were available on all concourses. Designated half-time smoking zones were in operation in all areas of the stadium except the Main Stand and Club Deck, with smoking strictly forbidden inside the ground at all times.
New era hopes for Rangers
The 0-0 draw marked the end of Rangers’ pre-season preparations under new head coach Derek McInnes. The club aims for significant improvement after a challenging end to the 2025/26 season, which saw their title hopes diminish with four defeats in their final five games. McInnes’ former club, Hearts, contributed to this outcome with a 2-1 comeback win at Tynecastle in early May.
Summer signings, including Lawrence Shankland, Dan Neil, and Vanja Dragojevic, all former captains of their previous clubs, reflect an effort to address past issues. The recruitment strategy this season has been met with approval, contrasting with previous summer transfer windows.
Despite the lack of goalmouth excitement in the match, a sense of quiet confidence has been present at Ibrox during pre-season. McInnes’ appointment has been well-received, and the club’s summer recruitment is seen as efficient in filling long-standing gaps both on and off the pitch.
One of the new arrivals, Cammy Devlin, continued his impressive form from a previous appearance against Saint-Etienne. The midfielder demonstrated a high work rate, engaging in challenges and encouraging teammates. His efforts created Rangers’ best chance of the first half, winning a tackle before setting up Mohamed Diomande, whose shot from distance was ultimately tame. Dan Neil, another summer signing, replaced Devlin at half-time as part of several changes, but these did not significantly alter the game’s pace, apart from a close-range header from Diomande and a powerful drive from West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos.
The match itself offered few headlines, but the atmosphere at Ibrox, including a rendition of Penny Arcade towards the end, suggested that Rangers are prepared for the upcoming season. The team’s league campaign is set to commence with an away fixture at Tannadice.
Source: rangers.co.uk
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Joel Kavanagh is a Sports News Writer at News-GB. He started on a Midlands sports desk. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from De Montfort University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Leicester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight calendar. “In sport news, the first ten minutes decide everything.”