Chairman John Bennett had apologised to fans after upgrades to the Copland Road Stand were delayed; Rangers' first league game at Hampden Park will be on August 10 against Motherwell; Champions League qualifier and possible League Cup games could be moved
Monday 15 July 2024 17:42, UK
Rangers will play their initial home matches at Hampden Park after reaching an agreement with the Scottish FA and SPFL.
A delay in materials arriving from Asia resulted in a hold-up on works to their Copland Road Stand at Ibrox, with chairman John Bennett apologising for the situation.
Bennett and the Gers board had been in talks with the Scottish FA over recent weeks, and have reached an agreement that will see Philippe Clement's side play at the national stadium.
A joint statement from the SFA and SPFL said that agreement includes home matches until Scotland's Nations League game against Poland on September 5.
As part of the deal, Rangers have committed to fund an accelerated pitch growth programme to ensure the Hampden surface is ready for the club's first home game.
Rangers kick off their league campaign at Hearts on August 3 - live on Sky Sports - before the first of their Premiership games are moved to Hampden Park, with Motherwell visiting on August 10.
Ross County are next to visit Rangers at Hampden on August 24, with the Gers' next home league game not taking place until September 28 against Hibernian.
At least one Champions League qualifier on August 6/7 or August 13 will be impacted too, and should they reach the playoffs another crucial home game is scheduled for August 20/21 or 27/28.
The Gers are also in League Cup action, with the potential of a home draw in the Premier Sports Cup second round on August 17/18, with the quarter-finals taking place on September 21/22.
Talks had also taken place with Scottish Rugby over a potential move to Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
Rangers have been improving their disabled facilities at Ibrox and adding around 600 new seats to the Copland Stand.
Due to the move to Hampden Park, the SPFL have confirmed Queen's Park's game against Livingston in the Championship at the neighbouring City Stadium (formerly known as Lesser Hampden) will now be moved to Friday August 9, a day earlier than when Rangers host Motherwell in the Premiership.
In a statement last week, chairman 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. 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.
"Rangers thanks the Scottish FA and the SPFL for their strong support in working to this solution.
"The club wholeheartedly appreciates the continued patience of our supporters while we work through this most trying of situations.
"I intend to give a fuller, personal update by the end of July."
August 3 - Hearts (a) - Scottish Premiership - live on Sky Sports
August 6/7 - Champions League third-round qualifier first-leg (tbc)
August 10 - Motherwell (h) - Scottish Premiership
August 13 - Champions League third-round qualifier second-leg (tbc)
August 17/18 - Premier Sports Cup second-round (tbc)
August 20/21 - Champions League play-off first-leg (tbc)*
August 24 - Ross County (h) - Scottish Premiership
August 27/28 - Champions League play-off second-leg (tbc)*
September 1 - Celtic (a) - Scottish Premiership - live on Sky Sports
September 14 - Dundee United (a) - Scottish Premiership
September 21/22 - Premier Sports Cup quarter-final (tbc)*
September 28 - Hibernian (h) - Scottish Premiership
*Fixture subject to progression in competition
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