Rangers stepped up their pre-season preparations with an impressive 2-2 draw with English big guns Arsenal.
Having faced Partick Thistle and Tranmere in their opening two tune-ups, this clash - the first of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations - was a major step-up in quality of opposition for Steven Gerrard ’s champions.
But they stood up to the test thanks to Leon Balogun’s first goal in a blue jersey and a second from substitute Cedric Itten.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta - making his first trip back to Ibrox since his two year stint as player under Alex McLeish - watched his side pass up a string of chances before twice equalising through Nuno Tavres and Eddie Nketiah.
Rangers were back at home for the first time since lifting their longed for Premiership title in May and the lucky 2,000 supporters who won golden tickets to see the game roared them out from their seats in the Govan Stand.
Former Arsenal trainee Glen Kamara was back in action against his old side less than a month after his exit from Euro 2020 with Finland, while Scotland duo Nathan Patterson and Jon McLaughlin took a seat on the bench - as did the Londoner’s former Celtic ace Kieran Tierney.
England ace Bukayo Sako is yet to rejoin the Gunners after his heartbreaking penalty miss in the final against Italy but Gers put on a show of unity with the visitors in the wake of the shameful racist abuse aimed at the young winger by presenting a signed shirt to Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before kick-off.
It was no surprise to see the Premier League giants dominate the possession early on but some sloppy work in the final third let Rangers off the hook.
Gerrard’s team got their first chance to threaten on 14 minutes after Pablo Mari was booked for rash lunge on Calvin Bassey.
Arsenal dealt with Hagi’s deep free-kick but their notorious soft centre was exposed from the resulting corner as Tavernier’s delivery found Leon Balogun, who shrugged off Tavares to angle a header into the far corner.
But the lead lasted just nine minutes as Tavernier’s failed to deal with a long cross-field pass and Tavares was straight on the skipper’s heavy touch, punishing it as he swept past McGregor.
And there was more for Gerrard to be concerned about when when Defoe pulled up clutching his ankle 10 minutes from the break. The 38-year-old signalled to the bench on the way off the pitch it was not a serious issue but any injury in pre-season is to be avoided.
Arsenal pasted up another couple of chances - including Abameyang’s sitter as he allowed Bassey to clear on the line - as the teams went in level at the break.
Tierney came for the second period while Gerrard made a couple of alterations himself as Jack Simpson and Patterson were introduced - with the Scotland full-back’s inclusion meaning Tavernier was shifted forward into a surprise role wide of the front three.
McGregor made a fine finger-tip save to keep out Emile Smith-Rowe before the hour mark brought a raft of changes to both teams.
The calibre of replacement the Gunners were able to call upon was certainly more than Gers could boast.
But despite a bombardment it was Gers who had the firepower to nip in front again as Cedric Itten powered home from Glenn Middleton’s corner with 15 minutes left.
Substitute Stephen Kelly should have put the win beyond doubt but he allowed Karl Jakob Hein to push away a golden chance, with Nketiah then rescuing a draw with seven minutes left as he squeezed a shot past McGregor at the near post.
Blades of Glory
John Lundstrum is settling into this Gers squad nicely. His tidy-up work was evident throughout the first half as he popped up more than once to holt a promising Arsenal attack with a well-placed toe or a timely tackle. He even made sure to make an immediate impression on the 2,000 fans in attendance by crunching into former Celt Kieran Tierney a couple of times. There was evidence he could be a useful asset in the opposition third when he came close with a second-half header. With Ryan Jack yet to make his return, Gerrard will be reassured he has enough tools in midfield as the new season comes into view.
Bassey steals the show
Calvin Bassey spent most of last season playing second fiddle to first-choice Borna Barisic. That is certainly bound to be his role again this term but the former Leicester youngster showed the drop off in quality when the Croatian is not available will not be quite so stark this time round. Already a fine specimen the 21-year-old has come back for pre-season in even better shape and his rampaging runs down the left mean Gers do not have to alter their attacking gameplay. He still needs to brush up on his final delivery if he is to really push Barisic but he showed against the Gunners he can be trusted when required.
Tierney makes Ibrox return
Arsenal star Tierney was given his first run out since his completing his Scotland duty at the Euros as he came on after the break. Steve Clarke successfully found a way to include the ex-Parkhead ace and skipper Andy Robertson in the same side by moving Tierney to the left of a back three.
Steven Gerrard is facing a similar conundrum with captain James Tavernier being pushed hard by Tierney’s international team-mate Nathan Patterson and the Ibrox boss gave a glimpse of his potential solution when he gave Tavernier a 15-minute cameo on the right of the front three. He said after the game it is a “working progress” but was adamant he will try it again as his pre-season preparations move forward.
