Rangers have rubber-stamped a multi-million pound refurbishment of Ibrox that will provide class leading facilities for disabled supporters on a matchday.
Disgruntled fans have repeatedly raised the issue of disabled access and seating arrangements in recent seasons and it was one of the key talking points from the Annual General Meeting last year.
Now Herald and Times Sport can reveal that supporters and shareholders will be given their first sight of radical plans when they gather in Glasgow on Tuesday morning for the RIFC plc AGM.
Deputy chairman John Bennett revealed the matter had been 'escalated' at a board meeting before the AGM twelve months ago and that it was now a 'priority’ for the custodians to improve the matchday experience for fans with mobility and additional support needs.
The blueprint was put in front of the Ibrox hierarchy at a gathering on Monday and has now been signed off as Rangers get set to embark on a significant remodelling of the Broomloan and Copland Stands.
Additional wheelchair seating will be made available when the ribbon is cut on the Blue Sky Lounge in the coming weeks as supporters - many of whom are subjected to the worst of the wind and rain from their current position in front of the Enclosures - are given some of the best views in the house for the first months of the Michael Beale era.
And it's understood hundreds of seats in the Broomloan Front and Copland Front will now be removed as Rangers create up to 150 wheelchair spaces around Ibrox.
The significant work is likely to cost around £2million and comes as Rangers prepare to open the doors to the New Edmiston House project – which will include a museum and event and retail spaces – in the coming months.
Fans and investors will get the chance to quiz directors about the plans for the disabled facilities and a range of other football and financial issues at the AGM as chairman Douglas Park leads the meeting following a difficult period on and off the field that has seen questions asked of the Ibrox hierarchy and appointment of Beale as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s successor as manager.
