Rangers vs Saint-Étienne preview: The final dress rehearsal before the season opener - 22.07.2026
With just a short time left before the official fixtures kick off, the stakes for every friendly are rising fast. On July 22, at Ibrox, Scottish side Rangers will host French outfit Saint-Étienne.
- See also: Closed rehearsal for the Magpies: prediction for Newcastle vs Darlington
Despite being a pre-season encounter, this match promises plenty of intrigue: the hosts are still building under new head coach Derek McInnes, while the visitors are keen to test themselves against one of Scotland’s most decorated clubs.
For Rangers fans, this is also the first chance to see the revamped squad at home after their training camp in Spain. The clash with Saint-Étienne will serve as one of the final tune-ups before the Scottish Premiership campaign kicks off.
Rangers: A team taking on a new identity
It’s been a busy summer for Rangers. New boss Derek McInnes is actively reshaping the squad, and the club has already brought in several fresh faces. Their pre-season has featured a handful of friendlies, including draws against Kaizer Chiefs (1-1) and Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim (2-2). In the latter match, Tochi Chukwuani bagged a brace, emerging as one of the standout performers of the off-season.
The transfer window is still open, and McInnes has hinted that several more signings could be completed before the Saint-Étienne game. So fans may well get a first look at new arrivals on Wednesday night.
Saint-Étienne: A storied name hungry for a return to the top
The French club is going through a challenging spell, but their illustrious history still commands respect. Les Verts are continuing their preparations for the new campaign, and see the trip to Glasgow as a prime opportunity to test themselves against quality European opposition.
This will be a valuable litmus test for the French side ahead of their league opener. In friendlies like these, coaches tend to focus more on building chemistry and assessing fitness than the final scoreline, so expect plenty of rotations throughout the match.
What to watch for?
The main intrigue: how visible are Derek McInnes’s ideas at this stage?
Pre-season games have shown Rangers striving to play more aggressively off the ball, transition faster from defense to attack, and make greater use of the flanks.
Saint-Étienne will likely take a different approach. The French side are traditionally comfortable in possession and will aim to match the hosts for initiative.
It’s also worth noting that these clubs have crossed paths in European competition before—in 1957 and 1975. So, while this is just a friendly, there’s a bit of historical subtext to this fixture.
On their home turf, Rangers are sure to play on the front foot. For McInnes, it’s not just about getting a positive result, but also showing the fans that the team is headed in the right direction.
Saint-Étienne have the tools to cause problems, but the quality of the Rangers squad, home advantage, and greater motivation all point towards the Scottish side.
Prediction: Rangers win.
