The long term closure of Ibrox was virtually confirmed just before 5pm today when the SFA, SPFL and their newest member club announced that two August fixtures have been switched from Ibrox to Hampden Park.
When the SPFL fixtures were announced on June 27 Neil Doncaster revealed that he’d be examining fixture flexibility which effectively meant the reversing the venue for a couple of early fixtures.
In season 2017/18 when the Main Stand at Tynecastle was being rebuilt Hearts started the season with eight out of nine matches played away from home, their only home match, against Aberdeen on September 9 was played at Murrayfield.
Fixture reverses were agreed but with building work overrunning by a couple of weeks Hearts never played at Tynecastle in the SPFL until November 19 after further home fixtures were played at Murrayfield to prevent a ridiculous imbalance in SPFL games.
It had been suggested that Phil Clement’s side could reverse some of their early fixtures but this afternoon it was announced that the games against Motherwell and Ross County on August 10 and 24 will be played at Hampden.
Ross County and Motherwell will host the Ibrox side in December, it seems fairly clear that fixture reverses weren’t considered since there is no certainty that Ibrox will be open for business again this year.
Earlier today the Ibrox club announced:
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.
Almost four weeks after announcing a problem due to issues with ‘an Asian supplier’ there is still no word on when the 12 week project will be completed.
Work started on May 15 to install 600 extra seats in the Copland Road Stand with completion before the end of July with the possibility of a Champions League qualifier on August 6 or 7.
Season Ticket holders have been promised a ‘comparable’ seat at Hampden which could stretch to saying you seat in the Broomloan or Copland Stand is comparable to the one at Hampden because you are seated behind the goal.
A new pitch has been seeded for Hampden to be ready for the Scotland v Poland match on September 5 but that plan has been discarded with a new pitch being laid in preparation for the visit of the Steelmen four weeks earlier.
CLICK HERE for Ibrox messenger lets slip over December re-opening.
CLICK HERE for Ibrox closure announcement.
