Rangers and the SPFL haven’t always seen eye-to-eye over the years.
To put it mildly.
But the two organisations have had to work more closely together this off-season as Rangers try to negotiate their way through some construction chaos at Ibrox.
With a new cantilever being constructed on the Copland Stand, delays in the required steel to complete the project have seen the stadium’s gates shut ahead of the new season.
Now, the Ibrox club have announced a special agreement with both the SPFL and SFA to use Hampden Park – but it comes with a catch.
Rangers agree Hampden relocation
Rangers have announced that they have officially struck an agreement with the SFA and the SPFL to use Hampden Park for their first two Scottish Premiership matches of the season.
Initially, the Gers will use Scotland’s national stadium for the clashes with Motherwell on Saturday, 10 August and Ross County on Saturday 24 August.
Season ticket holders will be contacted with more specific information as the situation progresses.
With Rangers also potentially set to play two rounds of Champions League qualifiers in August – as well as a potential League Cup clash – specific details surrounding these games will be communicated as and when the necessary draws are made.
As for how long the club will be using the stadium, Rangers insist they are ‘working tirelessly on the Copland Stand project’ and will provide a more ‘definitive update’ in due course.
The official Rangers statement on the relocation to Hampden reads:
“Rangers confirm agreement has been finalised with both the Scottish FA and SPFL for the use of Hampden Park for the club’s home fixtures in the early part of the 2024/25 season.
“Further to last week’s update, the club is continuing work at pace on detailed plans for the transition to the National Stadium.
“While the Ask Rangers site seeks to address immediate questions, further information will be delivered to our season ticket holders and seasonal hospitality clients as we progress the situation.
“At this stage, the club can announce our William Hill Scottish Premiership matches with Motherwell on Saturday, 10 August and Ross County on Saturday 24 August will be played at Hampden, with both matches kicking-off at 3pm.
“With draws still to be made for the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round and potential play-off round, plus a potential home tie in the Premier Sports Cup, the club will communicate news on dates and kick-off times for them once the information is confirmed.
“The club is continuing to work tirelessly on the Copland Stand project at Ibrox to complete that as soon as possible. As soon as the club can provide a definitive update on matches returning to our home, it will do so.
“Rangers again puts on record its thanks to the Scottish FA and the SPFL for their considerable work in reaching this solution.
“Above all, the club thanks our supporters for their ongoing patience and understanding as we deal with this challenge.”
SFA claim Gers to fund pitch programme
Whilst it is not mentioned by the Rangers statement, the Ibrox side have had to make some concessions in order to make a deal happen.
Specifically this relates to the Hampden pitch, with Rangers to fund an accelerated pitch growth programme to ensure it is ready for the first ‘home’ clash of the season with Motherwell.
As explained by the SFA’s official statement, the situation has also forced Queen’s Park to move one of their fixtures ahead of Rangers’ match against the Steelmen.
The SFA’s official statement reads:
“The Scottish FA and SPFL have today approved Rangers FC’s request to host the club’s home matches at Hampden Park, due to ongoing works at Ibrox Stadium.
“The arrangement includes the club’s home matches up to Scotland’s UEFA Nations League fixture at home to Poland on September 5 and the SPFL Board has approved Rangers playing such matches away from their own Registered Ground.
“As part of the agreement, Rangers have committed to fund an accelerated pitch growth programme to ensure the Hampden surface is ready for the club’s first home game.
“The SPFL have confirmed that due to the Rangers v Motherwell match in the William Hill Premiership now taking place at Hampden Park on Saturday 10 August, it has been agreed with Queen’s Park that their match against Livingston in the William Hill Championship, to be played at the City Stadium, has been moved to Friday 9 August.”
