Rangers ‘forced to cancel glamour friendly' as Ibrox side abort plans for end-of-season trip
MATCH OFF Rangers 'forced to cancel glamour friendly' as Ibrox side abort plans for end-of-season trip
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RANGERS have had to pull the plug on another glamour fixture Down Under, according to a report.
Three years ago plans for an Old Firm derby to take place in Australia were shelved but the Light Blues were due to fly there for an end-of-season friendly later this month.
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Rangers have cancelled an end-of-season mini-tour of Australia
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According to the Daily Record, the Ibrox club had lined up a clash with Olympiacos on May 28.
These plans were initially conjured up at the start of this season, with the hope that Rangers would be heading to Australia as Scottish Cup winners (and potentially Premiership champions).
The trip was supposed to last five days, with the squad flying out on Monday, May 26 and returning on Friday, May 30 (the cup final is on Sunday, May 25), playing the Greek giants in between.
However, the tour was cancelled when Gers reached the last eight of the Europa League - the same competition they face Olympiacos in earlier in the season.
Ibrox bosses were forced to think quick when the club beat Fenerbahce to reach the last eight.
That result meant there was a strong possibility they could feature in the final of the Europa League which is due to take place on Wednesday, May 21.
The back-and-forth between travelling to Manchester for the semi-final against Manchester United, coming back to Scotland and then heading out to Spain and for the final before again returning to Scotland was viewed as too much of a strain on the players and staff, with a 23-hour long haul-flight to Australia not thought of lightly.
Rangers would of course go on to lose to Athletic Bilbao in their quarter-final tie, but a decision had to be made before then.
This revelation means it's the second time Gers have called off a visit to Australia.
When Ange Postecoglou was in charge of the Hoops, a never-seen-before Down Under derby was mooted, in a November tournament called the Sydney Cup.
Rangers fans defiant banner after tifo criticism
But it was met with negative reaction by fans of both clubs - particularly Rangers - and the Light Blues pulled out of negotations.
Celtic pressed on with their own tour of Oz, seen as a homecoming for boss Postecoglou.
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