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RANGERS have pulled off a sensational double coup by enticing the mighty AC Milan and old foes Leeds United to Ibrox for glamour friendly matches at the start of next season. Italian giants Milan will bring their star-studded squad - including former Gers favourite Rino Gattuso - to Glasgow on Sunday, July 28 while David O�Leary�s Leeds are heading north on Wednesday, August 7 and both games are set to be absolute sell-outs. The two massive clashes will be key to Alex McLeish�s preparations for the new campaign and the Milan match will be the first chance for Rangers supporters for see new signings Mikel Arteta and Kevin Muscat in action at Ibrox. Season ticket holders will be given the opportunity to purchase their own seat for the two games and will be mailed an application form in June while tickets will go on public sale on July 8. The tune-up against the aristocrats from northern Italy will follow the Ibrox club�s United States tour which takes place between July 9 and 22 and will feature FOUR matches, although the identity of the opponents has still to be confirmed. Rangers are also going to Northern Ireland for the first time in 18 years to play Linfield on Tuesday, July 30 so the pre-season schedule looks to be ideal as McLeish bids to build on the Cup double he secured in the season just ended. Director-Secretary Campbell Ogilvie set up the deal to bring Milan the day before the Champions League Final at Hampden when the powerful G14 lobbying group met at Ibrox. He explained: "I spoke with Organisational Director Umberto Gandini who was representing Milan at the G14 meeting and he indicated that AC would be very keen to come here. "We have been trying to bring Milan to Ibrox for a few years now but we had been unable to do so because we had been starting our season so early both domestically and in Europe. "In previous years we have been involved in European qualifiers in July while the SPL has also started at the end of the month. "The SPL does not start until August 3 next season and we are not involved in Europe until September 19 which has enabled us to bring teams of the calibre of Milan and Leeds to Ibrox. "They are both hugely attractive opponents and I�m sure our supporters will relish the opportunity to watch Rangers in action against them. "Umberto Gandini was very impressed when he looked round the stadium earlier this month and he has promised that a full-strength squad will be coming to Ibrox even although so many of the Milan players are involved in the World Cup Finals." Rangers Commercial Director Martin Bain commented: "I am delighted to welcome both teams to Ibrox for what should be very exciting and memorable matches. The Club set out to bring world-class opposition to Ibrox for the fans to really start our season in style. "It is important for a Club of this size to face opposition of this stature both for the team and our supporters throughout the world." Milan, bossed by Carlo Ancelotti, are littered with top quality stars like Pippo Inzaghi, Paolo Maldini, Andrey Schevchenko, Rui Costa, Alessandro Costacurta and, of course, former Rangers favourite Rino Gattuso. The Leeds clash on August 7 will also be a mouth-watering encounter as it will bring some of the Premiership�s biggest names to Glasgow like former Celtic star Mark Viduka and Aussie team mate Harry Kewell. There is the English World Cup contingent of Nigel Martyn, Rio Ferdinand, Danny Mills and well-known Gers fan Robbie Fowler as well as the Irish trio of Robbie Keane, Ian Harte and Gary Kelly who are also in Asia for the Finals
