WE DESERVE BETTER.
Rangers fans have unveiled banners with those words a few times at Ibrox in recent years.
Nobody could blame them if they do so again in the coming months.
Well, that is if Ibrox is able to host a game any time soon.
There are only 36 days until the start of the season and we still don’t know where Rangers will be playing their home fixtures in the early weeks of the campaign.
Or MONTHS, going by the average delay to any kind of building work.
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With so many season-defining games coming up, it’s a crazy situation to get yourself into.
Rangers fans, in their tens of thousands, have parted with their hard-earned cash to buy season tickets for 2024-25.
Not that it makes them any more important, but there are also supporters who have bought hospitality packages for Ibrox at an increased cost.
And if Rangers relocate to Murrayfield or Hampden temporarily, where does it leave them?
None of these fans have been given an answer on where they will be watching their team.
Rangers could be five or six ‘home’ games in before the punters get to see them at Ibrox.
As those banners have stated in the past, the fans deserve better.
Rangers have claimed the hold-up is down to delays with steel coming in from Asia.
Apparently a project manager has already carried the can and been relieved of his duties.
I’m sorry, these excuses don’t wash. It’s nowhere near good enough.
This whole situation needs to be addressed properly by Rangers.
The club’s bosses were vocal last season about the state of Dundee’s pitch after multiple postponements — and rightly so.
But I bet Dens chief John Nelms is thinking to himself now, ‘At least we had a stadium to play in . . .’
It’s crazy that Rangers have got themselves in this mess. I find it hard to believe really.
Listen, these Ibrox upgrades have been planned for a while, and I am all for making sure every supporter gets the best possible experience of watching their team.
But was it really a wise decision to embark on the work this summer?
The timing was always going to be tight with the new season coming around so quickly.
Surely, Rangers should only have started work on the Copland Road stand with a guarantee it would be finished in time for August?
Right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s touching October before Ibrox is available.
My old club have dropped the ball big-time on this and you wonder just how damaging it might be for them.
In terms of the title race, Rangers are already behind the eight ball before a game has even been played.
The start to the season is tough enough before you factor this Ibrox mess into the equation.
Rangers’ first five away games are at Tynecastle, Parkhead, Tannadice, Rugby Park and Pittodrie.
They could have four Champions League qualifiers in August, on top of their Premiership and League Cup commitments.
This could all be played against the backdrop of Ibrox being unavailable for the early part of the season.
You wonder what Philippe Clement makes of all this. The Rangers boss is overseeing the club’s now annual rebuild when it comes to the playing squad.
We could easily see 12 arrivals before the end of the window — and plenty going out the door.
The last thing Clement needs is upheaval in terms of home fixtures.
Ibrox is a massive asset for Rangers. Having to play ‘home’ games elsewhere robs them of a significant advantage.
The Champions League qualifiers will be even more difficult now.
How many times have the Ibrox crowd pushed the Rangers team on in those European nights?
Remember, this season’s revamped Champions League format means qualification could be worth north of £40million.
Leon Balogun recently spoke about how the players will just carry on as normal. But I can guarantee Clement and his squad would much rather be at their home for these European games.
Where they will be played is anyone’s guess right now.
Hampden would be the ideal option for a temporary home but the pitch is being ripped up as soon as P!nk finishes her weekend gigs.
Queen’s Park have already stated they won’t be playing there until September and the national stadium had appeared to be ruled out by the Ibrox board.
Now there are rumblings it could yet be an option — but does that mean Rangers footing the bill to get a pitch down quicker?
Murrayfield is the only other viable option in terms of capacity, but the SRU will know how desperate Rangers are.
I’m pretty sure the home of Scottish rugby could accommodate them but, again, at what cost?
Rangers have shown their hand and those running Murrayfield could charge whatever price they want.
If it’s one or two games elsewhere, then the support will galvanise themselves and get on with it.
But the novelty would quickly wear off, especially if Rangers do end up making regular trips to Edinburgh.
This is a massive season for the club, domestically and in Europe.
Celtic have a financial advantage and the last thing Rangers need is for them to pull further away.
Clement is a serious individual, a manager who understands the demands and has big plans for Rangers.
This Ibrox situation is a major headache for him at such a vital period of the season.
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Just like the fans, Clement deserves better too.
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