Rangers Colts v Wrexham

Date: 16/11/2019

Kick-Off: 15:00

Location: Ibrox Stadium

Competition: Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Scottish Challenge Cup

Match-Day Guide: Click Here

Wrexham prepare to make history with our first competitive game in Scotland as the Dragons travel to one of football's most famous venues, Ibrox.

Wrexham come into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw in the Emirates FA Cup First Round with League One side Rochdale. Although on top for the majority of the game the Reds couldn't break the deadlock in an entertaining cup clash at the Racecourse Ground. In terms of the SPFL Challenge Cup, Wrexham have already eliminated two Scottish sides in Ayr United and St Mirren Colts, and are the final remaining non-Scottish side left in the competition following the elimination of Connah's Quay Nomads and Solihull Moors in the last round.

Rangers Colts have this season pulled out of Scottish league competition but have been a part of the SPFL Challenge Cup and UEFA Youth League competition. They knocked out a strong Solihull Moors side in the last round on penalties, after fighting back when they found themselves 3-1 down at Damson Park. They had previously recorded wins in the competition over Berwick Rangers, Stranraer and Irish side Ballymena UNited. 

It remains to be seen what sort of side manager Dean Keates opts to play having fielded fringe and youth team players in games against Ayr and St Mirren Colts. However, having now reached the Quarter Final stages and being just two wins away from the final showpiece, the temptation to play a more senior side will certainly be there. Leighton McIntosh has been involved in this competition and scored against St Mirren, but has not featured for the Dragons in the league since September. 

Rangers Colts, although a development side, do have a number of quality starlets including full internationals. Albanian Eros Grezda was signed in the summer of 2018 from Osijek in Croatia, but has made just 13 Scottish Premiership appearances since then scoring twice. The 24-year old operated as the overage player for the Gers against Solihull and will be a threat. Meanwhile, youngster Jamie Barjonas - a real prospect at Ibrox - has made nine league appearances for Rangers having spent time away with both Bury and Raith Rovers on loan.

Wrexham have never faced Rangers in any competition and this will be our first trip to Ibrox.

Manny Smith remains sidelined, whilst James Horsfield's injury picked up against Bromley has ruled him out as his loan period at the Racecourse ends this weekend - Adam Barton has had key-hole surgery on floating debris in his knee.

The Wrexham AFC media team will be bringing you radio commentary of all the pre-season action this summer, free and exclusively on the club’s Mixlr channel. Follow the match live on our social media channels too, and look out for highlights and post-match reaction on the club’s YouTube channel.