Rangers fans in favour of safe standing at Ibrox Stadium have been dealt a blow by Gers managing director Stewart Robertson at the club’s most-recent AGM.
Gers fans group such as the Union Bears have been vocal advocates of the scheme in the past which would see rail seating introduced into a section of the Broomloan Stand.
Similar initiatives have been launched at Celtic Park and whilst several clubs down south including Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea are embracing the concept [BBC Sport], Robertson gave an unenthusiastic answer when asked about safe standing at Rangers.
Responding to a question regarding a report into the scheme, Robertson claims safe standing isn’t a Rangers priority and revealed that the report was never completed.
“Covid kicked in and, on the back of that, we never actually completed it,” said Robertson [Rangers].
“That is the short answer. It has never actually been completed. It is not something that is on our immediate radar.
Safe Standing not on Rangers’ “immediate radar”
“That is the short answer. I am conscious that there are groups of fans who are keen to have safe standing within the stadium and there are various issues we need to look at in terms of the moves, where do you put it and how you do it.
“That is not something that has been top of our list of priorities over the last couple of years.”
This will represent a blow to advocates of the scheme who want to see the Broomloan Stand evolved to fit modern footballing needs and cultures.
The Union Bears currently occupy a space at the corner of the Broomloan Stand and have been heralded for their displays and enthusiasm over the years.
However, there have been clashes with the group too – not least regarding a series of protests in 2019 – and whilst things are not perfect between the UB and Rangers this situation is sure to frustrate the biggest safe standing advocates in Ibrox.
As part of the support’s continuing development of certain areas of the stadium, a special Broomloan Collective has been launched to unify members of the stand.