Glasgow Rangers mark Linfield centenary

With Walter Smith planning to step down at the end of the season, assistant McCoist is tipped to take over the hotseat at Ibrox.

The game with Linfield will be part of the Belfast club's 125th anniversary celebrations and one of a series of glamour games at Windsor Park.

Linfield received confirmation on Thursday night from Ibrox stadium chief executive Martin Bain.

"We are delighted that Rangers very willingly accepted our invitation and we are presently looking with Rangers at a date just before the new season. Our supporters will look forward to this game and we can expect a huge travelling contingent over from Scotland," said Linfield chairman Jim Kerr.

Linfield have traditionally had a long and close association with Rangers - the famous Gers played at the opening of the main grandstand at Windsor Park in 1930 - and the fixture, which will feature the first team squad, will undoubtedly have box-office appeal of a magnitude that will fill Windsor Park, particularly if both Linfield and Rangers win their respective League championships.