Rangers are to make considerable changes to The Hummel Training Centre at Auchenhowie, as detailed by the Scotsman.
Updates are already being made to the venue, with an emphasis on modernising the facilities available to the players.
It’s said that a 12-foot high fence will be installed in order to stop leaks from the training ground.
Furthermore, a stand is to be built at pitchside for use in Reserve team fixtures.
“My starting eleven was leaked five times in my early days here because people could see us train and this is a place where people can’t hold their water!,” said Steven Gerrard, as quoted by the Scotsman.
“So the fence will be there and I will then know where it’s coming from if the team gets out. When I came here, you could see the training ground was a sensational environment in its day but because of what’s gone on at the club in recent years, it had become tired and dated.
“It’s important to create that elite environment so we have identified the key areas to improve – the dressing rooms, the gym, the canteen. We need a Desso training pitch, we have introduced a cryochamber for recovery.
“We are putting a dome over one of the pitches so I don’t look out of the window and see the young kids out training in temperatures of minus two. We’re putting in a stand for reserve games and improving the floodlighting.
“We need to get the club up to speed and evolve off the pitch, as well as improving on the pitch, and that’s what we are doing.”
Verdict
It’s great to see the club pumping some funds into training facilities. Clearly, if the resources at Auchenhowie aren’t of the highest standard, the Gers will be disadvantaged.
Therefore, the inclusion of a top quality training surface and a recovery chamber is a step in the right direction.
The stand for Reserve team games will also be a good addition. It, alongside the considerable fencing, will give the ground a more private and professional feel.
At this level, it really isn’t acceptable to have team information being leaked. Going forward, Stevie G should be able to work on the finer details, without fears of his plans getting out.
