Rangers to delay flag celebration

RANGERS have announced plans to move the traditional unfurling of the league flag back to their third home game of the season. The scottish champions normally perform the ceremony ahead of the opening match but Ibrox will only be a third full for the visit of Livingston on July 31. Full houses are expected to return next month and Rangers say they will save the ceremony until Motherwell arrive on september 18. Meanwhile, Rangers expect to be allowed to have a full house at Ibrox cheering them on in their first home Champions League qualifier in ten years. They have been granted permission to host 8,500 supporters at this saturday’s friendly with english Premier League outfit Brighton. steven gerrard’s side will be watched 24 hours later by 12,750 as they take on Real Madrid in a glamour Ibrox friendly. Rangers have also been handed permission to welcome up to 17,000 fans when they get their scottish Premiership title defence underway against Livingston. They also expect the authorities to give the green light to Ibrox being full for the Champions League third qualifying round second leg qualifier against either Malmo of sweden or Finland’s HJK Helsinki on august 10. Last saturday, only 2,000 were allowed to watch Rangers draw 2-2 with arsenal at Ibrox. a Rangers statement yesterday read: ‘Following further discussions with the scottish government and local authorities, Rangers have been granted permission to host 8,500 supporters at saturday’s match with Brighton & Hove albion, and 12,750 at sunday’s Real Madrid fixture. ‘Under current scottish government roadmap plans, it is our expectation that we will have a full house at Ibrox for our UeFa Champions League qualifier with Malmö FF or HJK on august 10.’