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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Ross Pilcher

Rangers in talks over Linfield friendly with Steven Gerrard keen for Northern Ireland return

Rangers are in talks over a potential pre-season friendly against Linfield.

The two clubs have long-standing links and have often faced each other, with the Ibrox side regularly crossing the water to play them in Belfast.

Their last trip over was back in 2016 for Jamie Mulgrew’s testimonial at Windsor Park.

The club have a large fan base in Northern Ireland and are exploring the possibility of heading there over the summer as they prepare to defend their Premiership title.

However, the ground is due to undergo some work over the close season in order to get it ready for hosting the European Super Cup in August, so finding a date could be tricky.

Former Gers striker David Healy is Linfield’s manager, and scored a sensational winner against Steven Gerrard 's and Jermain Defoe’s England in a World Cup qualifying match at the stadium back in 2005.

Despite that result, Gerrard has fond memories of visiting Northern Ireland with his country on other occasions and would love to take Rangers back there if possible.

Speaking at a 'Team Talk' mental health initiative from sponsors 32 Red and the Rangers Charity Foundation, Gerrard said: "Every time I have been over to Northern Ireland from a personal point of view when I am representing England, I always get a fantastic welcome.

"I am really looking forward to coming back over once life is back to normality and it would be great if we could get the team over there at some point.

"It is something that we are discussing at the moment."

Rangers already have a glamour friendly lined up against Arsenal at Ibrox on 17 July.

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