RANGERS saw their pre-season trip to Portugal end in darkness after their friendly fixture with Sunderland with postponed at half-time.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side were 1-0 down – thanks to a Luke O’Nien strike -  at the break and had just returned to the field when the lights at the Albufeira Municipal Stadium went out.

A complete power cut around the ground plunged the venue into darkness but both teams remained on the park as the referee consulted with staff and officials.

In the end, the decision was made to call a halt to proceedings after just 45 minutes of action as Rangers brought the curtain down on their time on the continent in unique circumstances.

Van Bronckhorst had handed striker Antonio Colak his debut as the £1.8million recruit started just days after completing a protracted transfer from PAOK.

Colak looked bright when he got the chance to get involved and could have opened his account late in the half as he was denied at the near post after collecting a Ryan Kent pass.

There was no place for fellow new arrival Tom Lawrence as he joined the likes of Allan McGregor, John Souttar, Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos in watching on from the sidelines.

And there could soon be another fresh face in the Light Blues squad as Rangers close in on a deal for Wales internationalist Rabbi Matondo to further bolster their forward line.

The 21-year-old had spells at Cardiff City and Manchester City as a youth and joined Bundesliga side Schalke for around £11million three seasons ago.

Van Bronckhorst confirmed on Friday that he was keen to add more firepower to his side ahead of the new Premiership campaign and crack at the Champions League this term.

Matondo is now in line to follow Soutar, Colak and Lawrence into Ibrox as Rangers aim to conclude a deal ahead of their trip to face Blackpool next weekend.