David Weir believes the friendly against Chelsea is the ideal opportunity for Rangers to prove they can hold their own against the cream of English football.
Jose Mourinho brings his superstars north of the border for the pre-season clash at Ibrox as both clubs prepare for their respective new seasons.
The Old Firm have made no secret of their desire to play in the Barclays Premier League one day and former Everton defender Weir, 37, reckons the visit of Chelsea is a great chance for Rangers to test themselves against the best.
His time at Goodison Park means he is no stranger to facing Chelsea but he has urged his younger, less experienced team-mates to make the most of the opportunity.
Weir said: "It's great for them to see the standard of these players, how good they are.
"But it's also important that they don't spectate in the game, that they play against them.
"If you do well in these games, you get confidence from that and you realise that there's maybe not as big a gap as some people think there is.
"It's a chance for Rangers and Scottish football to show that the gap isn't that big."
Rangers' Champions League campaign begins in earnest on Tuesday when they face FK Zeta in the second round of qualifying and Weir knows the visit of Chelsea is the last chance for players to force their way into Walter Smith's plans for the European clash.
He said: "I think it will be competitive because it's so close to the season.
"Everyone will be trying stake a claim and get into the team and try to do as well as they can.
"They will be the same as well - every game is competitive at this level.
"It will be a great match, a great test for us. They are one of the best teams in Europe, if not the world.
"I'm sure the fans will be looking forward to it."
As for Chelsea's dangermen tomorrow, Weir told Rangers World: "You could go right through the team. Frank Lampard scores goals for fun.
"Didier Drogba, John Terry... they are all world-class players.
"They've brought a lot of players in and changed a lot of players, as have the majority of clubs.
"But they have obviously gone from being an average team to one of the best so there has been a big change in them.
"A lot of money has been invested but they bought quality and that has stood them in good stead and they have been very successful.
"They've won the league twice but didn't win it last year so they will be up for this season and trying to regain it."
The Old Firm have made no secret of their desire to play in the Barclays Premier League one day and former Everton defender Weir, 37, reckons the visit of Chelsea is a great chance for Rangers to test themselves against the best.
His time at Goodison Park means he is no stranger to facing Chelsea but he has urged his younger, less experienced team-mates to make the most of the opportunity.
Weir said: "It's great for them to see the standard of these players, how good they are.
"But it's also important that they don't spectate in the game, that they play against them.
"If you do well in these games, you get confidence from that and you realise that there's maybe not as big a gap as some people think there is.
"It's a chance for Rangers and Scottish football to show that the gap isn't that big."
Rangers' Champions League campaign begins in earnest on Tuesday when they face FK Zeta in the second round of qualifying and Weir knows the visit of Chelsea is the last chance for players to force their way into Walter Smith's plans for the European clash.
He said: "I think it will be competitive because it's so close to the season.
"Everyone will be trying stake a claim and get into the team and try to do as well as they can.
"They will be the same as well - every game is competitive at this level.
"It will be a great match, a great test for us. They are one of the best teams in Europe, if not the world.
"I'm sure the fans will be looking forward to it."
As for Chelsea's dangermen tomorrow, Weir told Rangers World: "You could go right through the team. Frank Lampard scores goals for fun.
"Didier Drogba, John Terry... they are all world-class players.
"They've brought a lot of players in and changed a lot of players, as have the majority of clubs.
"But they have obviously gone from being an average team to one of the best so there has been a big change in them.
"A lot of money has been invested but they bought quality and that has stood them in good stead and they have been very successful.
"They've won the league twice but didn't win it last year so they will be up for this season and trying to regain it."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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