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RANGERS have resurrected proposals to take the Old Firm derby overseas for the first time ever.

Ibrox Chief Operating Officer Ali Russell reckons there's scope to take Scottish football's fiercest rivalry abroad in a series of summer 'friendly' fixtures with the USA the most likely destination.

Despite a domestic schedule which sees the sides meet up to seven times a season, Russell said Rangers and Celtic "haven't even scratched the surface with the Old Firm rivalry".

A proposal to hold a pre-season fixture in Boston last year was on the table but Rangers turned down the opportunity at that stage, claiming it would not have been the most neutral of venues.

However, Russell, whose club have three American players on their books, clearly hasn't written off the idea completely.

Quoted on the club's official website, Russell says: "I would like to see us take the Old Firm fixture abroad but we have to be careful because we don't want Rangers to become the lesser brand.

"We have a strong tradition at Rangers and we have to make sure we play on an equal footing. Boston was the right idea but maybe the wrong city.

"It might be that we take it to somewhere neutral or it might be that it's more than one game which gives you an opportunity to create a home and away scenario.

"We haven't even scratched the surface with the Old Firm rivalry. It is one of the most intense environments you will ever see and it is probably the biggest rivalry in world football.

"I think both clubs and both sets of fans should be applauded for creating that rivalry. Neutrals find it intoxicating and I would be interested in taking it abroad, whether that's pre-season or post-season."