Rangers apologise for Ibrox delay with stadium return date still uncertain

Rangers chairman John Bennett has apologised to supporters over construction delays at Ibrox and admits the club is unsure as to when they will be able to host their own home games.

A delay to material shipments from Asia has affected the completion of work on the Copland Road stand at Ibrox, meaning the stadium won’t be ready for the start of the new season.

Rangers have confirmed that they are close to finalising an agreement with the Scottish FA to play their home games at the national stadium but it’s still unclear how long they will need to relocate for.

In a statement published on the club website, Bennett said: “First I’d like to apologise on behalf of the club for the uncertainty that this delayed project has caused to our season ticket holders, hospitality clients, partners and the wider support of this football club.

Construction work continues on the Copland Road Stand at Ibrox Stadium.

“The number of variables in this situation has made it extremely difficult to bring the one thing we all crave – certainty.

“Nevertheless, we are closing in on the most immediate solution – a suitable venue at which to fulfil our fixtures and house our support.

“While the ongoing delay means that the club is unable to fix a date for our return to Ibrox, we anticipate that this will become clearer upon delivery of the necessary materials to Glasgow.”

Bennett promised a further update by the end of July and thanked supporters for their ongoing patience but there was no indication as to how many games the team would need to play away from their own stadium, with Phillippe Clement’s team facing a busy start to the season.

The SPFL fixture schedule has handed Rangers home games against Motherwell and Ross County on August 10 and 24 respectively. The Ibrox club only has one home league match in September, against Hibs on the 28th.

Rangers will also have a home Champions League qualifier on August 6/7 or August 13 and, if they progress in the competition, another crucial home game on August 20/21 or 27/28.

In addition, the second round of the Premier Sports Cup is scheduled for August 17, with the possibility of Rangers being drawn at home and having another game to organise on September 21.