BANNAN IS RELISHING GERS VISIT

BARRY BANNAN reckons Rangers squaring up to Sheffield Wednesday might be a pre-season encounter but it will be far from friendly.

The Owls midfielder was thrilled to hear the Ibrox men are heading to Hillsborough on Sunday as it will be the ideal curtain raiser for both clubs ahead of the new term.

But Bannan insisted the former Celtic contingent in the Wednesday dressing room – along with several Scotland stars – will make it more of a kicking match than a summer kickabout. He has international pals Steven Fletcher, Jordan Rhodes, Liam Palmer and George Boyd for company in Sheffield while former Celts Gary Hooper, Glen Loovens and Ross Wallace are Old Firm veterans.

Bannan (above) is relishing the showdown and said: “It may be a friendly but you want games with a bit of an edge to them. The Rangers game will certainly have that and then some.

“There are a few Scottish lads and some boys in the dressing room who have played in Old Firm games. They’ll know what it’s all about and I’m sure a few of them will be hated on the day by some of the Rangers fans.

“Sometimes you go into friendlies and they’re a bit quiet and a bit boring. There’s no chance of that in this game! Rangers will probably sell out their allocation – we’ve heard 10,000 are coming – and our fans will be out in numbers as well. It will be perfect preparation.”

build-up continued last night with a 2-1 win at Watford behind closed doors, Martyn Waghorn and Daniel Candeias scoring the goals.