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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Rangers alternative venue twist as Scottish FA 'willing to offer' Hampden

The Scottish FA are reportedly willing to offer Rangers use of Hampden Park as work continues at Ibrox into the domestic season.

A Rangers statement yesterday revealed the club will be unable to play home matches at Ibrox at the start of the season due to a delay in works on the Copland Stand.

Major supply issues with materials shipped from Asia have caused a lengthy pause in construction work with Rangers now set to play their first month of the season away from Ibrox.

A club statement confirmed: "Rangers has recently been advised of a delay in a materials shipment from Asia which is likely to have an impact on the programme for the completion of the Copland Stand works.

"It is therefore expected, unfortunately, that there will be an impact on matches at Ibrox at the beginning of the 2024/25 competitive season. The club has engaged with the SPFL and UEFA in order to review planned contingency arrangements. 

"Naturally, everyone at Rangers is deeply disappointed with this news. The club is working intensively to ensure that all steps are taken to deliver the project at the earliest possible date and a further progress update will be issued to supporters in due course."

It's understood contingency planning has been underway in the last couple of weeks with talks ongoing over an alternative venue for Rangers home matches at the start of the new season.

Murrayfield has been touted as a potential venue for Rangers with the club set to play a friendly fixture against Manchester United in Edinburgh this summer.

It had been thought Hampden Park would not be an option due to works at the national stadium meaning even Queen's Park wouldn't play there until September.

However, the Daily Mail have reported the Scottish FA are 'willing to offer' use of the stadium to Rangers.

The outlet reports the stadium will be ready for the start of the domestic season despite the pitch being ripped up for two concerts on June 28 and 29.

No discussions are said to have taken place but it's claimed the Scottish FA are open to securing a short-term lease with Rangers for use of the stadium. Any agreement would have to also work in with Queen's Park.

An SPFL spokesperson said: "We have received notification from Rangers FC that they may be unable to host SPFL fixtures in August at Ibrox Stadium due to ongoing stadium works.

"We have agreed to work with Rangers on how we can best mitigate this situation following next week's publication of the fixture calendar for season 2024/25."

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