Rangers to delay building works at Ibrox after Copland chaos
- Rangers FC is postponing additional construction plans at Ibrox Stadium due to past issues with the Copland Road renovation.
- The team faced challenges this summer, including playing at Hampden due to delays in material shipments, which caused the project to fall behind schedule.
- The club's management aims to prioritize team finances over stadium development, indicating a shift in focus for the upcoming season.
In Scotland, Rangers FC is set to postpone further construction at Ibrox Stadium following complications with the recent upgrade of the Copland Road end. This summer, a delay in material shipments caused the team to temporarily play at Hampden, highlighting significant issues in the planning and execution of the renovation. Initially, the club planned to proceed with improvements to the Broomloan and Sandy Jardine stands after the current season. However, the board has reconsidered due to concerns about tight timelines and the need for a contingency plan in case of future construction delays. Interim chairman John Gilligan acknowledged that valuable lessons were gained from the Copland project and stated that any upcoming projects would require careful planning. Rangers’ management sees the necessity to prioritize spending on the team's wage bill over stadium developments at this time. Consequently, with the postponement of these upgrades, Ibrox's capacity will remain at approximately 51,500 seats, emphasizing a need for financial prudence amid management changes and potential future stadium use issues. Gilligan indicated that the club's priority is to begin the next season at Ibrox, alleviating any matches at alternative venues like Murrayfield, which have been considered amidst recent challenges.