Rangers granted permission for 17,000 fans at season opener

Rangers will have 17,000 fans inside Ibrox when they begin the defence of their Premiership title at home to Livingston on July 31.

And the club says it expects Ibrox to be filled to its 50,000 capacity for the crucial Champions League qualifier against either Malmo or HJK Helsinki on August 10.

The club believes the anticipated crowd would be in line with the Scottish Government’s current routemap out of lockdown restrictions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she intends to move Scotland beyond level zero on August 9 – when the Scottish Government hopes to lift most legal restrictions – but that will be subject to a review based on the latest data.

Following discussions with the Scottish Government and local authorities, Rangers have also been granted permission to host 8500 supports at Saturday’s home friendly with Brighton & Hove Albion, and 12,750 for Sunday’s glamour fixture against Real Madrid.

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