Rangers have pulled out of fulfilling a friendly match in Australia, it can be revealed.
For the second time in three years, the Ibrox club have withdrawn from playing in a friendly Down Under.
It's understood Rangers were due to fly to Australia for a match against Greek giants Olympiacos at the end of the season.
This would have seen Barry Ferguson take the team on a five-day trip at the end of the month, starting on Monday, May 26, before return flights home on Friday, May 30.
It's believed the match was due to take place on Wednesday, May 28.
However, the plug was pulled on the trip after Rangers' progression in this season's Europa League.
Ahead of the two-legged quarter-final tie against Athletic Bilbao, club chiefs decided the end-of-season schedule would have put too much strain on the players and first team staff should the club have made it to the Europa League final.
Of course, Rangers' hopes of European glory were dashed with a 2-0 defeat in Spain, but the outcome of the tie wasn't known when the decision was made to withdraw from playing Olympiacos.
It's the second time Rangers have backed out of a friendly in Australia.
They previously did so after a friendly tournament was organised Down Under, which was set to feature both Rangers and Celtic.
Read more:
-
Davide Ancelotti gets Rangers manager endorsement as Scottish connection revealed
-
Leon Balogun provides update on Rangers future, admits no talks over new contract yet
This would have seen the teams play each other for the first time outside of Glasgow.
Fans were unhappy with that prospect, and so, Rangers were forced to perform a U-turn regarding their participation in the match to be played in Sydney.
This saw Rangers miss out on a £3m payday.
