RANGERS and Liverpool are preparing to play in a friendly with a difference tomorrow - across the Atlantic Ocean in New York.

Supporters of both sides will meet in a charity match with the aim of raising money to sponsor a children's team from one of the city's more deprived areas.

The game is being staged to coincide with the pre-season clash between Gers and the Reds at Ibrox on Saturday 2 August.

An eight-a-side fixture, the first match will take place at Pier 40 in the West Village area of New York with kick off at 7.30pm.

Fans who attend will be able to take in some fantastic views of Downtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building at the venue.

Players are being charged a fee to play in the game and spectators will be asked to make donations.

The winning team will then host a function for everyone when the clubs they follow come together at the start of next month, a week before the SPL begins.

Some great raffle prizes will be up for grabs, including a signed DaMarcus Beasley USA top and a t-shirt and puck autographed by New York Rangers captain Brendan Shanahan.

All monies raised will go to the Central City Initiative, a charity run by Downtown United Soccer Club which gets kids off the streets and playing football.

Gordon Kerr, of the Big Apple Bears, said: "What started out as a game of fives between the two supporters' clubs has really taken off.

"As soon as we decided to do it for charity, everyone got behind us to help so it should be a great event.

"Soccer is still a minority sport in the States and as pitches are rare, they are expensive because of the high demand.

"This means young kids from the poorer parts of the city with an interest and a talent don't get the opportunity to play on good-quality pitches and in organised leagues.

"We hope the money we raise enables them to get a game of football when they wouldn't be able to afford to otherwise."

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