Rangers’ training ground has been the Rangers Training Centre since July 2001 after opening their first purpose-built facility. The Ibrox outfit had previously used venues around Glasgow.
The Gers first discussed creating a dedicated site in June 1998 under the tenure of manager Dick Advocaat. He and then-chairman David Murray set about building a multi-million-pound site that also hosts Rangers’ academy team. Their women’s side also use the training ground.
Rangers training ground name
Rangers gave their training ground the name of the club’s former chairman, Murray, when it first opened. It was officially recognised as Murray Park and cost the club £14m to build. But fans often referred to the site as Auchenhowie owing to its location in the town of Milngavie.
The official use of Murray Park also regressed from 2011 after Murray sold his shares in the club. While Charles Green later invited season ticket holders to discuss renaming the site in June 2012. Dave King also revisited the topic of possibly renaming the complex in June 2016.
Rangers eventually changed the official name of the training ground in June 2018 and called it The Hummel Training Centre. Danish manufacturing company Hummel bought the naming rights of the complex in an extension of its contract as Rangers’ kit manufacturer at the time.
The Gers later renamed the site as the Rangers Training Centre after the club separated from Hummel. British sportswear and athletic clothing manufacturer Castore replaced the Danish brand as Rangers’ kit provider from the 2020/21 season on a contract for at least five years.
How many pitches are there at the Rangers Training Centre?
Rangers’ training ground on the outskirts of Glasgow sits on a 38-acre site and features six full-size football pitches. Additionally, the Gers installed two half-size pitches and an indoor pitch and training centre from the site’s conception. There is also one further practice area.
What other facilities do Rangers have at their training ground?
The Gers split the Rangers Training Centre in half from its opening with one area designated for Rangers’ first-team squad and the other devoted to their academy. Their two operations also have separate changing rooms, dining areas, kit rooms, lecture spaces and receptions.
But both have access to a gym, a medical suite and the indoor pitch at the Rangers Training Centre. Rangers also invested £50,000 of the initial £14m spent to build their site on a video editing suite to record their sessions. Footage can also be reviewed straight after a session.
While work carried out from 2017 to 2019 saw Rangers redevelop their training ground with additional floodlighting and a 264-seater stand. The gym at the Rangers Training Centre also has around £150,000s worth of equipment that gives dedicated programmes for each player.
Rangers previously trained at a number of venues
The Gers moved to the Rangers Training Centre in 2001 after opening their first purpose-built facility. Rangers had used a number of venues around Glasgow for training prior to opening their complex. These included Ibrox and West of Scotland Cricket Club’s Hamilton Crescent.
Rangers have also used Bellahouston Park as their training ground throughout their history. But Murray felt that it was not fitting for a club with multi-million-pound squads to train at a cricket ground or on rugby pitches before securing the site of the club’s first training ground.
What is the address for Rangers’ training ground?
Address: Rangers Training Centre, Auchenhowie, Glasgow, G62 6EH