Rangers close to deal with SFA to use Hampden during Ibrox delays

Rangers are close to securing a deal to rent Hampden from the Scottish FA for their early season fixtures.

A delay to material shipments from Asia has affected the completion of work on the Copland Road stand at Ibrox, leaving the Premiership side looking for a temporary home.

The Rangers hierarchy has been in discussion with counterparts at the Scottish FA and are now poised to agree a contract that will see them play at the national stadium to cover the early start of the season.

An announcement is expected in the next few days.

Philippe Clement’s side face a busy start to the new campaign, with matches in the league, League Cup and Champions League qualifying.

Construction work continues on the Copland Road Stand at Ibrox Stadium, on July 4. SNS Group

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.

Rangers are close to securing a deal to rent Hampden from the Scottish FA for their early season fixtures. SNS Group

One outstanding issue is Queen’s Park’s deal for the Championship side to play their home games at Hampden after September 5 but it’s understood that will be resolved.

The agreement would bring to an end weeks of uncertainty at Ibrox. The club had announced to fans in June that there was a problem with the stadium work.

Talks were held with Scottish Rugby exploring the possibility of using Murrayfield for games before the advanced discussions with the Scottish FA reached broad agreement for the team to remain in Glasgow.