Rangers are closing in on a deal to relocate to Hampden for the start of their Premiership title bid and Champions League campaign.

The Ibrox board have been in discussions with the Scottish Football Association in recent weeks after revealing that renovation works in the Copland Stand have hit lengthy delays.

And the Rangers Review understands that talks are now at an advanced stage as chairman John Bennett looks to close a deal in the coming days. It is expected that Bennett will also address the support in a statement to offer clarity on the situation.

The agreement will see Philippe Clement’s side play at the National Stadium in the opening weeks of the season. Rangers kick-off their Premiership title bid with a trip to face Hearts at Tynecastle and have home fixtures with Motherwell and Ross County before the first Old Firm showdown of the term at Parkhead. Rangers will also have at least one Champions League qualifier to play and could face a home tie in the League Cup. 

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A potential switch to Murrayfield had also been discussed amongst Bennett and his board since the bombshell news four weeks ago that Ibrox would be unable to host matches for the foreseeable future. The prospect of playing in front of three stands at home was on the table.

But it is now understood that Clement’s side will head across the city as they look to get their season off to a positive start. It is expected that the switch will be confirmed in due course as supporters are finally given clarity on where they will be watching their side in action.

Rangers embarked on a redevelopment programme to overhaul their disabled facilities at Ibrox and add around 600 new seats to the Copland Stand at the end of last term. Issues with the delivery of materials have caused havoc with the schedule, however, and it was confirmed last month that the board would have to find a solution to a costly and embarrassing situation.

A statement on June 20 read: “Rangers has recently been advised of a delay in a materials shipment from Asia which is likely to have an impact on the programme for the completion of the Copland Stand works. It is therefore expected, unfortunately, that there will be an impact on matches at Ibrox at the beginning of the 2024/25 competitive season.

“The club has engaged with the SPFL and UEFA in order to review planned contingency arrangements. Naturally, everyone at Rangers is deeply disappointed with this news. The club is working intensively to ensure that all steps are taken to deliver the project at the earliest possible date and a further progress update will be issued to supporters in due course.”