Rangers To Supersize Ibrox

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Rangers To Supersize Ibrox

Ibrox could soon be the biggest sporting arena in Scotland, as Rangers have revealed plans for redevelopment…

Scotland has four top-class stadiums – three in Glasgow and one in capital city Edinburgh.

Edinburgh’s Murrayfield is the largest. Home to the national rugby team, it has a capacity of 67,500. Celtic Park, known as Parkhead, holds 60,832. The national football stadium, Hampden Park (pictured), seats 52,000 and is joined as a UEFA five-star rated stadium by Ibrox which holds 51,082.

Home to Rangers since 1899, Ibrox could now be in line for major changes according to plans mentioned by the Glasgow club.

Moving Forward

In one of three plans being considered, the projected new capacity is 70,000, which would make it the largest stadium in Scotland, second only to Old Trafford in terms of UK football clubs.

Plans rotate around the main stand, named the Bill Struth Stand, which is a Grade B listed building. This stand features the famous brick façade of Ibrox. As well as holding 21,500 spectators, the changing rooms, trophy room and corporate facilities are housed here. One of the redevelopment plans involves the demolition and rebuilding of the rest of the stadium.

Rangers and Celtic have long been linked with a move to the English Premier League or a European ‘superleague’. The SPL lags behind the big leagues financially, with much pressure placed on the Old Firm to achieve Champions League success to further their status and financial positions.

Rangers had previously shown interest in developing the Govan area into the UK’s first regional casino, with plans for a hotel complex in place. However, the project was granted to Manchester despite planning permission being granted.

Futuristic

The club is clearly still interested in regeneration, though, with several innovative plans rumored. These include a revolutionary removable pitch which can be stored outside the stadium, allowing other events to take place. A hotel, housing and retail development is also reportedly on the cards, akin to Chelsea’s village.

In terms of the stadium, the red brick façade could be part of a futuristic bowl shape. Rangers would likely play at Hampden park for the duration of any scheduled rebuilding.

The club confirmed that plans are being considered.

"The club would like to inform its fans that it is currently assessing a number of proposals for the development and regeneration around Ibrox," read a club statement.

"At present, we are analysing three strategies which would enhance the development of the existing outline planning proposals for the Hinshelwood area to the south of the stadium.

"One of the strategies includes the total rebuilding of Ibrox Stadium while retaining the brick facade, the tradition and the integrity of the Bill Struth Main Stand.

"The club stresses that, at this time, it is assessing these proposals and no decisions will be reached imminently.

"Further details will be announced at the appropriate time."

[changingman2000 35]

There's certainly plenty room around Ibrox anyway, given the sheer size of the ground before it was redeveloped in the 70's. plenty space for enlarging it, but will they fill it?, except for Old Firm and European games, Even Celtic are giving out false attendances now, adding ALL season ticket holders to the attendance, whether they actually attend or not. A friend of mine was at the Falkirk game a few weeks back and said the place was half empty, yet crowd was registered as about 56,000

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

There's certainly plenty room around Ibrox anyway, given the sheer size of the ground before it was redeveloped in the 70's. plenty space for enlarging it, but will they fill it?, except for Old Firm and European games, Even Celtic are giving out false attendances now, adding ALL season ticket holders to the attendance, whether they actually attend or not. A friend of mine was at the Falkirk game a few weeks back and said the place was half empty, yet crowd was registered as about 56,000

Yeah....I read that on another forum.

I dunno whats going to happen tbh, but David Murray is a shrewd businessman and he'll have looked into this in a lot of detail before making it public of the clubs intentions.

Wheres all the money gonna come from too, will we be seeing another Arsenal style "name the stadium" project or is there another avenue being taken to fund the new plans. Either way.....I'll hold my judgement until its become clearer on any decision made.

[changingman2000 35]

Suppose they could always rename it Buckfast Abbey?, Shame Stoke got in first with The Brittania eh.

[Fulham Broadway 16,894]

Rocket fuel.

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