Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is hoping Rangers and Celtic will prepare his side for the abuse they are likely to receive from fans next season.

City are in southern Germany at a Bavarian training camp before they fly to South Africa for the Vodacom Trophy later this week.

But Hughes is already looking forward to returning to Britain to face Scottish football's two biggest clubs in friendlies just before the Premier League season kicks off.

With City the richest club in the world, Hughes expects plenty of taunting from jealous rival supporters this season.

He said: "We face Rangers and Celtic within four days of each other, which will be a test.

"We know that the atmosphere in terms of the crowd in those two games will be terrific. That is important too because it will help us prepare for the intensity of the first game of the season at Blackburn."

Sam Allardyce, the Blackburn boss, has given up on a bid for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. He said: "I think probably Ruud, from a salary point of view, is out of our reach."