John Bennett gives Ibrox return timeline in rare Rangers stadium update

Rangers chairman John Bennett has said that the club have an "aspiration" of returning to redeveloped Ibrox by the end of September.

Speaking to RangersTV on the stadium situation (29 July), Bennett was asked about a prospective return date to the Gers' spiritual home, currently out of action after delayed works on the Copland Road Stand.

Philippe Clement's side will therefore start the new season across Glasgow at Hampden Park, with Bennett unable to give a specific date – or even month – in which the Light Blues would be back at Ibrox.

Bennett said: "When I think about timelines, it is an aspiration at this stage, because there is still uncertainty.

"Clearly, after the September international break, and it is a case of how long after the September international break?

"I can have an aspiration to get our people back into our home for the final game of September. But, yes, it could slip beyond that."

John Bennett 'update' the least that Rangers fans deserve

It's rare that Gers fans hear from Bennett whatsoever, let alone in the form of a 22-minute interview, but given the chairman still couldn't give much more clarity on the stadium than they've already heard.

A potential return date of late September or early October could have been mooted by most Gers fans, and Bennett's comments only confirm that the first proper 'home' game this season is still up in the air.

With Bennett also acknowledging that playing at Ibrox by the end of September is "an aspiration", fans will be rightly concerned by the lack of actual clarity about when they can return home.

Amid a summer of mass change among both Philippe Clement's squad and the club's boardroom – with the departure of CEO James Bigsrove – the Ibrox redevelopment setback is a spanner in the works.

As Clement looks to blood his eight new signings come Saturday's (3 August) season opener against Hearts, he'll be hoping his debutants can get a taste of the Ibrox atmosphere as soon as possible.

In other Rangers news, a Spanish journalist has given the main reason behind Joan Jordan's rejection of a loan move to Ibrox.

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