‘Rangers now well placed to avoid Ibrox expansion embarrassment’ amid 49ers claim
Rangers fans may hold concerns over a potential expansion at Ibrox following the shambolic handling of improvements at the ground last summer (2024).
The Gers were forced to play at Hampden Park for the start of the 2024-25 campaign with construction problems delaying the development of the Copland Stand.
According to the Scottish Daily Express (27 April) the new 49ers board will look to expand the capacity of Ibrox, which currently holds 50,817.
49ers Enterprises, who are closing in on a majority takeover at Rangers, have already announced plans to revamp Leeds United’s Elland Road in recent weeks.
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on a potential repeat of the “real embarrassment” faced by Rangers fans last year.
Wyness has ‘no doubts’ over Ibrox expansion at Rangers
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed the 49ers are “experts” and would handle the project more professionally than the previous Rangers board.
On the pitch, Rangers will not lift a trophy this term – while rivals Celtic are on course to win a domestic treble.
| Stadium (Club) | Capacity |
| Celtic Park (Celtic) | 60,411 |
| Ibrox Stadium (Rangers) | 50,817 |
| Pittodrie Stadium (Aberdeen) | 20,866 |
| Easter Road (Hibernian) | 20,421 |
| Tynecastle Park (Hearts) | 19,852 |
Wyness claimed when it comes to a stadium expansion, the only consideration for the 49ers will be “whether the numbers stack up”.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “That was a real embarrassment for Rangers, it was handled really badly.
“We now know the story about steel coming from China.
“You’d hope they would bring in a strong project management group if they were to expand again.
“I think the new 49ers board would handle it completely differently.
“The faults did lie at the last board’s door for not managing the project properly.
“I think the 49ers are experts at handling a project like this.
“I’ve got no doubts in them pulling off the Elland Road project, and Ibrox would be no different.
“I don’t think Rangers fans should be worried about that. It’s just a case of whether the numbers stack up.”
Gerrard in pole position to get Rangers job
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (3 May) that Steven Gerrard is now the leading candidate for the Rangers managerial role over other candidates.
Prospective new owners 49ers Enterprises are expected to play a key role in the decision-making process once their takeover is completed.
Gerrard previously won the Scottish Premiership title at Ibrox in 2021 before leaving for Aston Villa later that year.
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