Rangers chiefs personally reach out to UEFA after latest Ibrox development
Rangers chiefs have reached out to UEFA to confirm plans to host all four Europa League home games at Ibrox, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper reported in its print edition [4 September, back page] that the Gers intend to host their four group games at their spiritual home.
Rangers announced via their official website on Tuesday (3 September) that they will return to Ibrox for domestic home games later this month, starting against Dundee on 21 September.
And the Gers intend to stage their European home games there, rather than Hampden Park, despite only three stands currently being open.
“Rangers will finally make their return to action at Ibrox later this month against Dundee – but only in front of three stands,” the report by Andy Newport read.
“And Record Sport can reveal Light Blues chiefs have also told UEFA bosses they plan on hosting all four of their Europa League fixtures at their spiritual Govan base.”
Ibrox the best place for Rangers’ European fixtures
As we saw in the pretty disastrous Champions League qualifying play-off loss to Dynamo Kyiv, the Ibrox factor cannot be underestimated.
A pretty bare Hampden witnessed the Gers crash out of the competition in a major setback for Philippe Clement and his players.
That means a season of Europa League football, and the Light Blues need to seriously attack the competition again this year.
Playing at Ibrox is the best option, even if the ground is – rather comically – only three-quarters open for the time being.
The stadium generates a special atmosphere on European nights and can be the extra few per cent needed to overcome some tough opposition.
UEFA need assurances that each game will be staged at the same venue, and Rangers chiefs are clearly confident of no further setbacks.
All eyes are now on the visit of French side Lyon on 3 October, with FCSB, Tottenham and Union Saint-Gilloise also visiting.
In other Rangers news, Nils Koppen could end up paying with his job after a silly transfer decision.
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