Ajax Are In Town

Tonight (7.45pm) Rangers take on Dutch Champions and four time’s European Champions Ajax Amsterdam in a friendly at Loftus Road.

Following a rigorous week in the Scottish Highlands, a 3-0 win against non-league Nairn County and a 1-1 draw with SPL side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Rangers have a much tougher task on there hands.

Sporting Euro 2004 stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Wesley Sneijder (Holland), Rafael van der Vaart (Holland), Johnny Heijtinga (Holland), Tomas Galasek (Czech Republic) and Zdenek Grygera (Czech Republic), the Amsterdam club have brought a strong squad to contest friendlies against the R’s and then Luton on Friday night.

The Dutch masters have been training in Aylesbury as they prepare for tonight’s game and as Rangers manager Ian Holloway suggests, they should give the Superhoops a massive test of their credentials at W12 come 7.45pm.

Speaking to the official website, Ollie said:

"I can't wait for the game. The bookies are saying we'll get slapped, but we'll have to see about that.

"I expect them to give us the run-around, but we've been working on our shape and let's see how we get. It will be a very good game.

"They won't let us settle and as soon as we get in their half they'll close us down. To say that we'll get more time on the ball is a bit of myth, to be honest."

Ajax are well-known for their attacking flair and skill whilst sitting back and inviting their opposition on to their solid defence. But as Ollie said, there will be no time on the ball for the newly promoted Championship side.

Ollie also promised to give the chance to some trialists a run-out against the technically gifted Dutch. Whilst also vowing to give his full squad of players some sort of appearance on the field (fit player’s only).

"I think we've got players who can do it at this level (Championship), but when you've only got 18 or 19 senior professionals, you're going to look elsewhere."

Rangers today confirmed their rejected bid for Lee Camp by Derby but also hinted that a new offer maybe close, whilst Ollie also indicated his hopes of signing Georges Santos.

You can find an insight into the Ajax minds by reading the "Opposition View" from a set of Dutch supporters ahead of tonight’s game by clicking on the header on the left hand navigational screen.

QPR MAD will be bringing you a full match report from tonight’s match tomorrow.