Highlanders to host international exhibition against Championship side Glasgow Rangers

Category: Men’s First Team
Tagged: featured headline men’s first team rangers

VICTORIA – The Premier Development League’s Victoria Highlanders FC and Scottish Championship League’s Glasgow Rangers FC officially announced an international exhibition match to take place this summer. With the generous support of presenting sponsor Coast Capital Savings, the international friendly will see the 2008 UEFA Cup runners-up arriving in Victoria, July 21 to take on the 2013 PDL Western Conference Champions, 6pm at Centennial Stadium. The world-famous Rangers will visit just three other cities on their North American tour that includes one other Canadian destination.

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One of the most storied football clubs of all time, Rangers will make three stops in addition to Victoria that will include Los Angeles, Sacramento and another Canadian city to be announced soon. Founded in 1872, Rangers FC have amassed 54 league titles, 33 Scottish Cups and 27 Scottish League Cups, the most league titles of any football club in the world.

Glasgow recently completed their first undefeated season in 115 years, compiling 33 wins and three draws during the 2013-14 season. The league-best campaign earned them a promotion to the second tier of the Scottish Premier Football League.

“I am delighted our pre-season plans are now in place,” said Rangers head coach Ally McCoist. “We have a wonderful global fan base and I am sure the members of NARSA (North American Rangers Supporters Association) will turn out in huge numbers at all of our games. The trip to America and Canada is also a fantastic opportunity to re-introduce Rangers to the North American fans and I am confident the tour will be a success on a number of levels.”

Playing in the top development league in North America, the Highlanders have enjoyed post-season success in all but one season since their inaugural year in 2009. The team is coming off their most successful campaign on and off the pitch since entering the league, as they made the trip to Austin, Tex. for the 2013 PDL Championships. Led by head coach Steve Simonson in his second full season at the helm, the Victoria Highlanders feature the top collegiate soccer talent in Canada as well as several former professional players from around the world. The team currently sits in first-place in the Northwest Division with a 2-2-0 record.

The friendly will take place at the University of Victoria’s Centennial Stadium, a 5000-seat venue that has played host to several major sporting events, including the 1994 Commonwealth Games, 2000 BC Summer Games, 2000 and 2004 Canadian Track and Field Olympic Trials as well as the 2003 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cup. Most recently, the venue played host to the CIS soccer championships in 2011 and 2012.

“We are excited to take on Rangers Football Club at Centennial Stadium this summer,” said Highlanders general manager Mark deFrias in a statement. "Rangers have an incredible history and we look forward to playing a storied club in our small corner of the world. This is arguably the largest sporting event to come to the island since the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007. Our growing attendances prove that the island is starving for high-level soccer and we want to continue to deliver these events to our fans and to the community.“

Tickets for the match will go on sale May 29 and will be available by calling (250) 220.7777. They will also be available for purchase online at www.selectyourtickets.com. There will be several options available for fans, including a Rangers Mix & Mingle package that will allow fans to meet Rangers FC team and staff, including legendary player and current manager Ally McCoist.

Live streaming of the match online will be announced at a later date, while additional information regarding the event can be found by visiting www.highlandersfc.ca/tickets/glasgowrangers

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For more information please contact:

James Nielsen, Highlanders FC

Manager, Communications and Digital Media

250-954-8859

jnielsen@victoriahighlandersfc.com