July 30 – Rangers chairman John Bennett has admitted the club’s return to the Ibrox Stadium may “slip beyond” the predicted September return date in the latest twist to Ranger’s stadium development headache.
To cope with delays in the renovation of the Copland Stand at Ibrox, the SPL runners-up arranged to play their August Scottish Premiership, League Cup, and European home fixtures at Hampden Park – home of the Scotland national team.
The delay is due to late shipment of materials; the first shipment has arrived, while the second and third are expected in August, “subject to slippage”.
Rangers’ only scheduled home match in September is against Hibernian on 28 September.
“When I think about timelines, it’s an aspiration at this stage,” Bennett told club media.
“I’m caveating it, there is still uncertainty. We can aspire for that to be at the end of September but it’s an aspiration. I am sorry that I have to caveat this, it frustrates me so much that I have to caveat this.
“Yes, I can have an aspiration – get our people back into our home, final game of September but yes, it could slip beyond that.”
Bennett paid tribute to club staff and those at the SFA for assisting the club, expressing thanks for offering the Hampden solution in their hour of need. He added: “I thank our people for the work they’ve done but I also want to thank our counterparts at the SFA. They rose to this challenge and they acted like partners to us. And that’s what you need.
“In times of crisis you find people out. You find out who stands up and who hides. So many people in the club have stood up and the SFA have stood with us, as partners. And the SPFL, I want to thank them as well.”
The most recent official update on the Ibrox issues was the announcement of the temporary move to Hampden two weeks ago. Bennett expressed optimism that season ticket-holders would receive information about their seating arrangements at Hampden later this week.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1726828641labto1726828641ofdlr1726828641owedi1726828641sni@g1726828641niwe.1726828641yrrah1726828641