Rangers fans could fill Hampden four times over – pundit
Rangers supporters could fill Hampden Park “four times over” amid uncertainty over where the club’s home games could be played for the foreseeable future, says Paul Robinson.
Robinson, speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, said a decision must be made imminently on where Rangers will play their home games during the unavailability of 51,000-seat Ibrox in order to settle the team and the club.
Refurbishment works at the stadium have taken a huge hit this summer following significant delays to the shipping of materials from Asia, forcing the club to look elsewhere to play upcoming Scottish Premiership matches and Champions League qualifiers.
The Light Blues will host Manchester United on 20 July in a pre-season contest at 67,000-seater Murrayfield, some 48 miles away from Ibrox in Edinburgh.
Former Aberdeen chief Keith Wyness told Football Insider [27 June] that there would currently even be a possibility that Rangers are absent from Ibrox for the entirety of next season, given the weight of the problems.
Rangers must be clear with supporters – Robinson
Former England goalkeeper Robinson states that Rangers must be clear and quick in their communication to supporters, whilst acknowledging that Hampden Park – with a 52,000 capacity – is not a great fit for the Scottish giants.
“Rangers need to make a decision now,” Robinson said.
“They can’t be saying they’ll be somewhere for two weeks, then if Ibrox isn’t ready in time they’ll be somewhere else for two weeks – they need to tell supporters when the ground will be ready, and have a place sorted until then.
“It’s a shame Hampden is out of commission as it’s in Glasgow, but it’s a smaller stadium than Murrayfield. Rangers fans could fill Hampden four times over, like Ibrox.
“They’re down to play Manchester United on 20 July, and that’s at Murrayfield. So that gives you some indication as to where they’re going to be.
“They could fill Murrayfield several times over too, as could Celtic. But to go to another smaller ground is just no option for them.”
In other news, Rangers could be about to sign two “amazing” players.
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