Stefan Borson drops strong verdict after Rangers stadium plan revealed
Rangers’ new owners will consider plans to expand Ibrox after completing their takeover deal.
The Scottish giants endured a disappointing 2024-25 campaign after they failed to win a trophy.
However, the US consortium’s recent takeover has now provided a renewed sense of optimism for what’s to come at Ibrox.
Speaking at Rangers‘ General Meeting (EGM) on 23 June, vice-chairman Paraag Marathe suggested the club will explore plans for a stadium expansion.
“First, our priority is improving ourselves on the pitch, best we can,” said Marathe (via Rangers Review).
“That’s urgent. But absolutely, yes. We want sustained success. We have a tremendous fan base. However, we expand Ibrox, we’ll fill it. It will help put a competitive squad on the pitch.”
Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider it would be a “very expensive” route for Rangers to go down.
Ibrox currently holds 51,700 fans, while Celtic Park’s capacity is 60,411.
Rangers posted a record-breaking revenue in 2023-24 after their turnover increased from £83.8million in 2022-23 to £88.3million.
The club’s matchday income rose from £39.9million to £43.8million across the same period.
Rangers face financial issue after new reveal
Borson insisted there are limited ways for Rangers to increase their income as they consider an Ibrox expansion.
He told Football Insider: “It depends on whether they can sell the seats, but let’s say they can.
“Look, we know there are limited ways in which Rangers can make more money.
“It’s not going to come through the domestic TV deal, and that’s even if Hearts and other teams are more competitive.
“So, they’ve got the European opportunity, player sales and expanding the stadium if they can sell those seats.
“Expanding the stadium is one of the most expensive routes to get more revenue because there’s a build cost that’s very expensive, and there’s the disruption during that period.
“But there are limited ways in which they can grow the size of the company because it’s not going to come from domestic football and is probably not coming through sponsors.
“That market is very tough right now as we’ve seen with multiple examples, so doing the stadium is great, but you have got to build a stand.”
Rangers confident of agreeing Conor Coady deal
In terms of a potential incoming at Ibrox, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 27 June Rangers are in advanced talks to sign Conor Coady and are hopeful of concluding a deal soon.
The 32-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at the King Power Stadium and Leicester City view him as a sellable asset as they aim to clear space in their squad.
It comes after Football Insider revealed on 15 June Leicester are open to Coady’s exit and have given Rangers encouragement in the deal.
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