Portuguese giants Benfica will become the latest side to face Rangers in a glamour friendly next month in Canada.
Pedro Caixinha used his contacts in the summer to face clubs coached by fellow Portuguese managers. Watford and Sheffield Wednesday were both defeated by Rangers during pre-season – but the most decorated club in Portugal will be much sterner opposition.
The clubs will face each other at Tim Hortons Field in Toronto on Friday, October 6. The friendly will contest the Eusebio Cup – a competition hosted by Benfica dedicated to their most renowned player. Previous winners of the trophy include Inter Milan, Tottenham and, most recently, Torino.
The game will fall during the next international break, meaning both clubs may have some players missing. The most likely scenario, however, is that Rangers will travel to Canada with their squad in tact due to the recent lack of call-ups.
A chance for the new-look Rangers side to test themselves against one of Portugal’s ‘Big 3’ is certainly not one to pass by.
Benfica manager Rui Vitoria will be the latest of Pedro Caixinha’s countrymen to come up against the Light Blues.
The sides last met in a friendly at Ibrox in 1965. Rangers ran out 3-1 winners and Eusebio featured in the game.
