Rangers finally confirm temporary move to Hampden for start of new season as they await work to be completed on Ibrox

Rangers finally confirm temporary move to Hampden for start of new season as they await work to be completed on Ibrox

Rangers have been given the go-ahead to use Hampden for home matches in August as they wait for building work at Ibrox to be completed. A delay in the delivery of materials from Asia has held up the completion of an upgrade on the Copland Road stand – meaning the stadium won’t be able to host league games with Motherwell and Ross County plus Champions League qualifiers.

The club had talked to Scottish Rugby about the possibility of leasing Murrayfield but have now struck an agreement with the SFA to use the National Stadium. As well as rental costs, Rangers will foot the bill to ensure the recently reseeded surface is ready in time for the big kick-off.

Queen’s Park were due to face Livingston at The City Stadium (formerly Lesser Hampden) on August 10 — the same day Philippe Clement’s men play Motherwell — but have now moved their game forward by 24 hours. Rangers will also take on Ross County at Hampden on August 24 with their European qualifiers also likely to be staged there.

 

A joint statement from the SPFL and SFA read: ‘The Scottish FA and SPFL have today approved Rangers FC’s request to host the club’s home matches at Hampden Park, due to ongoing works at Ibrox Stadium.

‘The arrangement includes the club’s home matches up to Scotland’s UEFA Nations League fixture at home to Poland on September 5 and the SPFL Board has approved Rangers playing such matches away from their own registered ground. ‘As part of the agreement,

Rangers have committed to fund an accelerated pitch growth programme to ensure the Hampden surface is ready for the club’s first home game. ‘The SPFL have confirmed that due to the Rangers v Motherwell match in the William Hill Premiership now taking place at Hampden Park on Saturday August 10, it has been agreed with Queen’s Park that their match against Livingston in the William Hill Championship, to be played at the City Stadium, has been moved to Friday 9 August.’

Meanwhile, Clement admits he would have been worried about the rate of Rangers’ transfer business as a younger manager. But the 50-year-old is relaxed about the situation and believes the end of Euro 2024 could spark the summer window into life. Clement said at the weekend that the club had to sell players before making any major signings.

The Belgian has so far signed back-up goalkeeper Liam Kelly plus four players who are either 20 or 21 – defenders Jefte and Clinton Nsiala, former Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron and Moroccan forward Hamza Igamane. Clement told Rangers TV: ‘I have had a lot of pre-seasons and in this way of working and the expectations from outside. You know that everyone expects that all the new

players will be in now. ‘When I was younger, a first-time manager, I was also nervous about that. And now I know that it’s not possible, with the Euros or World Cup. So you need time. ‘We have been looking at a lot of players in these last weeks and months, had a lot of talks. Some deals we could do,

some deals not, and everybody is working hard on that. ‘We are not where we want to be at the end of August but I don’t think we are the only team in the world. I know supporters want that but it’s not possible. ‘Everyone is working hard on that. How fast those things go, you never have control

That is because it has to do with yourself, what you can afford, and other teams, if they want to let players go and how much they ask for.

‘It’s also about convincing the guys. So there are numerous players who believe Rangers is a good fit, but negotiations must continue.

‘It always starts a little later after the Euros because teams begin to train, coaches give players opportunities, and it becomes clearer later on which players may stay or go somewhere. You never know how swiftly things will go.

‘But I’m not a youthful manager anymore, so I understand the reality.

‘And we work hard with the players who are inside the building. That is critical, so that everyone in the building is prepared for the first official game we will play.

‘Then we’ll see if there are still players coming in, now or in the following few weeks; if it’s in August, you don’t have complete control over those things.’

Rangers lost experienced players such as Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, John Lundstram, and Kemar Roofe over the summer, while Ianis Hagi and Sam Lammers are still on the roster after loan periods.

Clement went on to say, ‘I know for fans, it’s a little like playing Football Manager or PlayStation; you think anything is possible right now. But that’s not the case.

‘The most important thing is that everyone – the board, recruiting, me, and the staff – is on the same page about what profiles we need to improve and grow as a club, not just in the short term but also in the long term.’

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