Rangers could still have to play their opening Europa League clash at Hampden despite some positive news on the Ibrox renovation front.
The Gers have dropped into European football’s secondary competition after crashing out of the Champions League qualifiers against Dynamo Kyiv.
There has been much made about the impact of losing Ibrox for the challenging qualifiers due to delays to this summer’s renovation of the Copland Stand.
The latest news suggests that Rangers are on track to return to Ibrox by the end of September but it might be too late for the club’s first match in the Europa League this season.
Rangers in Ibrox return boost
Speaking at the end of July, Rangers chairman John Bennett had explained in greater detail the delay to the Copland Stand works.
Rangers have negotiated the use of Hampden Stadium whilst the works are completed, with the delay centred around shipments of steel from Asia.
At the same time, Bennett had claimed that he had an ‘aspiration’ for Rangers fans to be back into their home stadium of Ibrox by the clash against Hibs which is currently scheduled for the 28th of September.
Now, the Rangers chairman and the wider support have been handed a major boost as the final shipment of steel arrives at Ibrox with the works on schedule for completion.
Whilst there is no guarantee, the news that Rangers have all the materials to complete the works is clearly a cause for celebration and let’s hope the construction is a success.
Rangers are increasing the capacity of disabled seating inside the stadium to 153 seats whilst the club is also constructing a new cantilever which will increase net-capacity by around 600 in total.
Rangers are set to rehouse the club’s ultras section in the stand from here on in, the Union Bears having previously been housed in the corner of the Broomloan Front.
Europa League opener at Hampden?
Whilst there is no doubt that the progress with the steel is a positive for Rangers, the timing of the works will cast some doubt over the opening Europa League group stage game.
Rangers are already in the hat for the Europa League draw and will nervously await the qualifiers being completed over the next fortnight before finding out their fate.
In a revamped competition, Rangers will play an additional two group stage games meaning that in total there will be eight fixtures in the competition this season.
Rangers are already preparing for a number of Scottish Premiership fixtures to be rescheduled as a result of the impending draw.
But depending on the outcome of the draw, Rangers may have to play one more European match at Hampden before returning to Ibrox.
With the Gers hoping to be back in Ibrox for a clash with Hibs on the weekend of the 28th of September, Rangers will play in the Europa League on the Thursday preceding the clash (26th).
If Rangers are drawn with a home match for this tie, then on the current schedule they will play the game at Hampden before welcoming Hibs to Ibrox a few days later.
Rangers fans will also note that due to the Europa League, the fixture with Hibs is likely to be rescheduled to Sunday the 29th of September.
