Sandwiched between their crucial second round Champions League qualifier with Panathinaikos, Rangers take on Middlesbrough at Ibrox in a friendly on Saturday afternoon.
Russell Martin took charge of his first competitive match as Rangers head coach on Tuesday night, and he got off to a winning start, defeating Panathinaikos 2-0 at Ibrox in the first leg of their second round Champions League qualifier.
After a ropey first half in which they had to rely on three or four terrific saves from goalkeeper Jack Butland, goals from youngster Findlay Curtis and new signing Djeidi Gassama give The Teddy Bears a two-goal advantage to take to Greece next Wednesday.
After missing out on the playoffs last season, Middlesbrough decided to part with manager Michael Carrick and appoint former Luton head coach Rob Edwards.
Boro have already been in pre-season action, drawing 3-3 with League One side Mansfield Town, and losing 2-0 with a side just promoted to the third tier in England, Bradford City.
How the bookies view it: Bears bookies favourites
Rangers have been installed as favourites here, with BoyleSports pricing them up at 20/21.
A win for Boro is 13/8 with the same form, whilst the draw is 12/5.
Head to head: First ever meeting
From what I can see (I may be wrong), this is the first-ever meeting between these two clubs.
Players to watch: More class from Curtis?
After a sticky first half, Boyhood Rangers fan Findlay Curtis changed the game for Rangers on Tuesday night, curling in a stunning strike from outside the box, before drawing a second yellow card from Panathinaikos defender Georgios Vagiannidis.
The 18-year old also scored the equaliser against Club Brugge, and is worth a look at the goalscorer markers when markets are released.
Predicted line-ups:
Forwards Cyriel Dessers, Hamza Igamane and new signing Djeidi Gassama were not deemed fit enough to start against Panathinaikos on Tuesday night, but both came off the bench, and you would expect Russell Martin to get more minutes into the trio at some point in the game.
Middlesbrough will be expected to name a similar starting 11 to the one that started their recent 2-0 defeat to Bradford City at Valley Parade, with Tommy Conway and Morgan Whittaker expected to start.
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Djiga, Aarons, Rothwell, Diomande, Raskin, Igamane, Curtis, Desserss
Middlesbrough: Glover, Van den Berg, Fry, Hackney, McGree, Conway, Whittaker, Morris, Silvera, Bangura, Lenihan
Anything else catch the eye?
I successfully backed goals in Rangers' last friendly against Club Brugge at the start of the month, and I see no reason to change my approach as Middlesbrough head to Govan.
Rangers have scored two goals in both matches with Club Brugge and Panathinaikos, and I like the look of them doing so again against a Boro backline that has already shipped five goals in both of their opening two friendlies.
Rangers were fortunate to keep a clean sheet against Panathinaikos on Tuesday night, so combining Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals seems a sensible selection here, which pays 5/6 at William Hill.
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