Rangers expect to face delay in return to Ibrox Stadium

guards could be set to play home games away from Ibrox for an extended period after chairman John Bennett admitted a September return is “an aspiration at this stage”.

Work on the Copland stand has been disrupted by a delayed shipment of materials, which could see their scheduled home fixture against Hibernian on September 28 moved to an alternative location.

The club has already planned to play in August Scottish Premier LeagueLeague Cup and European home games at Hampden Park and may be forced to extend his stay.

“When I think about timelines, it’s aspirational at this stage,” Bennett told club media. “If I think about timelines, it’s clearly about the timeline of us returning home, which we all desperately want.

“I’m warning you, there is still uncertainty. We can aspire for this to happen at the end of September, but it is an aspiration. I’m sorry to have to give a warning about this, I get so frustrated that I have to give a warning.

“Yes, I may have an aspiration: to bring our guys back home for the last game in September, but yes, it can go beyond that.”

A new cantilever is being built in front of Copland Rear with almost 1,000 new seats, meaning a net increase in capacity of almost 600, with these new seats having some of the best views of the Ibrox pitch. The expansion also offers improved access for fans with disabilities and an expanded singing section.

While the action off the field may be slow, on it Rangers have made big changes to their squad. Eight players have already joined and nine have left, including defender Connor Goldson, who joined Aris Limassol after six years in Glasgow.

Rangers begin their SPL campaign at Hearts on Saturday 3 August as they still wait to find out who they will play in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers just three days later.