Rangers' confirmed and rumoured pre-season friendlies: Date, location, kick-off times and how to watch

Rangers return to Auchenhowie for pre-season this week, with yet another new era set to get underway.

The Bears started last season under new American ownership with Russell Martin in charge, but everyone knows how that ended.

And despite Danny Rohl replacing him, even more change has followed at Ibrox in recent weeks.

Derek McInnes is now in charge, leaving Hearts behind to go that final step and finally lift the Scottish Premiership title.

Lawrence Shankland has made the move from Tynecastle too, setting up some mouthwatering ties next season already.

When is the first chance you could see them in action, though? Ibrox News has details on that below.

When do Rangers return to pre-season training?

It's much sooner than you think, with the Bears back at Auchenhowie for pre-season training on Thursday.

The squad was initially due back on Monday, but with Rohl's exit and McInnes' subsequent hiring, that was pushed back.

With several representatives at the World Cup, however, certain players will be away for plenty more weeks yet.

There is a 21-day break enforced by FIFA for after a player bows out of the tournament, so it will be a tight turnaround until the start of next season for some.

Annual Ibrox friendly hosts West Ham United

As with every pre-season, Ibrox usually hosts one big-name fixture before the real deal gets underway.

That has seen the likes of Real Madrid travel to Glasgow, but for a second consecutive year, it will be English Championship opposition.

McInnes will make his Ibrox bow against West Ham United after their relegation from the Premier League, on 26 July at 4:00pm.

That will be the final fixture before the Scottish Premiership season gets underway at Tannadice against Dundee United on 31 July.

That final friendly is usually available to watch on Rangers TV.

Any other rumours on Rangers' pre-season?

With the hectic nature of Rohl and McInnes switching around, pre-season has taken a back seat.

West Ham is the only fixture announced so far, but more will follow that final glamour tie of the summer.

Pre-season is synonymous with trips away, none moreso famous than Martin and his get togethers.

Rangers spent time in Holland two seasons ago, and they were set to travel to Austria next month while Rohl was still in charge, but there has been little word on that since.

The Daily Record shared that a friendly against Sparta Prague was on the cards on July 16, although possibly behind-closed-doors on the other side of the border, in Germany.

There has been no word on that since McInnes arrived, but it would be strange if that plan was suddenly binned.