Rangers lined up for Birmingham City pre-season friendly as England away day set to be added to Man Utd corker

Rangers are being lined up by Birmingham City for a pre-season friendly at St Andrews.

Record Sport understands the Light Blues are top of the Midlands outfit’s list for a glamour home game in the summer. The Ibrox club are yet to confirm their pre-season plans other than a fixture against Manchester United at Murrayfield. However, due to work taking place on the Copland Road stand they will be unable to take on any home games, with Rangers informing fans the clash against the Red Devils at the home of rugby the only opportunity to see Philippe Clement’s men in action in Scotland.

But sources south of the border say a battle of the Blues is in the offing with Birmingham City keen to take on one of the late Trevor Francis’ former clubs. Francis started his career at St Andrews before moving on to become Britain’s first £1million footballer when he transferred to Nottingham Forest and later managed Birmingham.

Francis passed away last year and a game in his memory would take place around - and potentially even on - the first anniversary of his death on July 24. Birmingham were relegated from the Championship this season and will play in England’s third tier for the first time in 20 years next season.

Ex Celtic boss Tony Mowbray has stepped down as boss after taking time out to recover from major surgery. The club announced in March the first team squad will travel to Austria for a pre-season training camp from July 8 to 14.