Sam Lammers' first goal at Ibrox wasn't enough to earn Rangers a draw with Newcastle at Ibrox.

The pre-season friendly - which doubled as a testimonial for Allan McGregor - saw the Premier League side take a narrow victory after goals from Miguel Almiron and Harrison Ashby.

However, it was obvious both sides were early in their pre-season preparations with the tempo not quite at full match pace.

Newcastle had gone in front through Almiron's opener after 16 minutes as he slotted home from just inside the box.

But, Lammers was alert on his first start for Rangers as he pounced on a slack ball out from the back to snatch possession and slot home to restore parity in the second half.

Newcastle would claim victory, however, with just three minutes left as Isak crossed for Ashby to send a looping header over Butland.

More importantly, though, for those inside Ibrox, the glamour friendly saw McGregor start in goal for the final time for Rangers before receiving a standing ovation as he left the field after 37 minutes.

Here are five talking points from the pre-season fixture at Ibrox.

First impressions

Michael Beale wasted little time in handing starts to new faces after their summer arrivals, with no fewer than four players making their respective debuts at Ibrox. Throw in Leon Balogun on his return and the number rises to five.

Rangers supporters know exactly what to expect from Nigeria international Balogun, but there was genuine intrigue in showings from Kieran Dowell, Abdallah Sima, Sam Lammers and Jack Butland.

Sima and Lammers led the line in the first half with both proving mobile, yet physically capable. Sima was perhaps the most impressive new face on show, but Lammers marked the occasion with a well-taken leveller in the second half.

Dowell, similarly, enjoyed a positive start to life at Rangers with a few smart touches and incisive passes in a 45-minute display.

Butland was relatively untroubled all night but was left stranded as Ashby nodded home in the closing minutes.

Tactical tweaks

A notable difference in the Rangers set-up at Ibrox was the malleable midfield at Beale's disposal.

Initially, Beale began with a diamond in the centre behind two strikers, throughout the first half that shifted effortlessly into a flat four across the centre. Into the second period and without issue, it quickly became a midfield three with the frontline altering from Lammers in behind Sima and Sakala to a spearhead with two wingers.

Beale hasn't been slow to tinker with his tactics in the past with a back five utilised on occasion last season - but now it appears the work has gone into implementing numerous changes in midfield and the final third which could prove crucial against resolute defences.

Valuable minutes

There was no denying this was no match played at a truly competitive level. Rather, this was a useful exercise in gaining some match sharpness and gauging the fitness levels of players in both camps.

There were moments of quality, but equally moments demonstrating the pre-season nature of proceedings. Just look at Rangers' leveller with Lammers pouncing on slack play in the Newcastle defence.

For Rangers, it was the perfect scenario to test themselves against Champions League opposition, for Beale to test tactical tweaks and new signings to make their first bows within the safety net of a send-off for McGregor.

Newcastle quality

If there was a need to display the financial gulf between the clubs it'd be the £55million transfer signing of Sandro Tonali.

Eddie Howe's Champions League-bound side are a far cry from recent struggling Magpies sides this millennium.

Make no mistake, Newcastle - backed by Saudi funding - are a club on the rise. Already qualified for the group stages of Europe's elite competition, Newcastle offered Rangers a sight into the standard they must reach should they progress in the competition.

This wasn't a fully functioning, slick and well-oiled Newcastle but there were obvious signs of another positive season on the horizon for Howe's improving squad bolstered by further big-money arrivals this summer.

A fitting farewell

He's arguably the best goalkeeper in Rangers history, but certainly among the goalkeeping greats at Ibrox.

For that reason, a send-off in front of a capacity crowd against a worthy opposition was the least McGregor deserved.

And he marked the occasion in typical style as he approached the encounter with the same desire and determination as in his playing days at Ibrox.

A short pre-match interview was followed by a TIFO from the Union Bears and a standing ovation as he left the Ibrox pitch for the final time. Even on his exit, he was imparting wisdom to new No1 Jack Butland before capping his evening with a lap of honour.