Rangers edged West Ham 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at Ibrox on Sunday, with Ben Godfrey’s 87th-minute header the difference-maker. The Gers now head to Tannadice next Friday for their Premiership curtain-raiser against Dundee United, needing every minute of this final tune-up before the real campaign begins.

What happened at Ibrox?

West Ham started brightly but faded as Rangers grew into the game. The visitors had chances, notably when Jarrod Bowen forced a save from Allan McGregor, but it was Rangers who struck late. Godfrey rose highest to power home a corner after a spell of sustained pressure, sparking a late surge from the home side. The win follows a 2-1 victory over Saint-Étienne last time out, leaving fans with positives to build on.

The match also saw Cammy Devlin make an impactful debut off the bench, while Lawrence Shankland netted his first Rangers goal in midweek. Vanja Dragojevic, the £5million new boy from Partizan Belgrade, remains on the bench after completing his move earlier this week.

Why it matters for Rangers

This was the final practice run before the Premiership opener against Dundee United on 1 August. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, now 2nd in the Premiership with 69 points from last season, need to iron out any creases before the title race heats up. They sit just one point behind league leaders Heart of Midlothian and will face them away on 28 October.

The Gers have scored 66 goals and conceded 31, with a +35 goal difference, but their recent form reads WWLLL after a mixed end to last season. The friendly win, though low-stakes, offers a morale boost ahead of the trip to Tannadice.

Squad news and lineup

Rangers fielded a strong XI, including captain James Tavernier at right-back and Alfredo Morelos up front. The bench featured Shankland, Miovski and Antman, among others. West Ham, meanwhile, brought a mix of youth and experience, with Declan Rice absent as he continues his recovery.

Devlin’s cameo and Shankland’s goal hint at attacking depth, while Godfrey’s late header underlined the importance of set-pieces. The win, though narrow, was hard-earned against a Hammers side that pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages.

What comes next?

Rangers now turn their focus to the Premiership opener against Dundee United on 1 August. The league campaign kicks off with a trip to Tannadice, where Derek McInnes’ side will look to start strongly. Espirito Santo will hope the Ibrox win has sharpened his squad’s edge ahead of the title push.

The Gers sit 2nd in the Premiership with 69 points from last season, one behind Heart of Midlothian. Their next fixture is against the league leaders on 28 October, a clash that could set the tone for the campaign.

Rangers’ pre-season record stands at 2 wins and 3 losses in their last five outings, but the win over West Ham offers a lift as the real battles loom.