Rangers and Celtic groundshare moves step closer as leading figure speaks out
Rangers and Celtic could be about to embark on an unprecedented ground-share agreement following progress from the SFA.
The Scottish leagues’ governing body are investigating plans for a new venue which will also be utilised for the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
Gers and Celtic fans could take an interesting position on the matter, as talks develop between the SFA and the clubs concerned.
Old Firm ground-share proposed as SFA interested
The SFA are exploring a deal which would see Rangers Women, Celtic Women and Glasgow City Women all move out of their current arenas and share a ground under one roof.
A proposed new ‘hub’ venue would be built with a capacity between 3,000 and 5,000, according to the Daily Record (15 April). It would be with the purpose of ground-sharing, despite the potential logistical problems of three teams in the same division all sharing a home stadium.
The Scottish women’s national team would also play at the new venue, with Ibrox women’s chief Donald Gillies admitting Hampden Park is too large for regular attendances of around 8,000 for the Tartan Army.
It is not the first time this year there have been brazen plans surrounding the Scottish Women’s Old Firm sides, with talk of joining England’s WSL even raised.
Gillies said: “Let me be frank, in my opinion, Hampden isn’t working for the women’s national team. It’s too big for an attendance of 8,000.”
SFA president Mike Mulraney has reportedly already begun talks with Gillies and his team at Rangers as well as their opposite numbers at Celtic and Glasgow City to look to strike a deal, which at this point is considered “aspirational”.
In order to avoid home league fixture clashes at the shared ‘hub’, the SFA have provisionally suggested the introduction of Friday night matches in the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL).
Rangers and Glasgow City face off in a local derby clash on Wednesday night (16 April) at Glasgow’s current venue, Petershill Park – also the training complex for the men’s team from Partick Thistle of the Scottish Championship.
Rangers chief Gillies keen to fund new shared Glasgow stadium
Gillies appears eager for Rangers to fund the shared operation, describing a Rangers-themed venue solely for the Gers women’s side as “short-sighted”.
Supporters may disagree, especially those who attend women’s games on a regular basis, with a multi-use ground sure to dilute the club identity on SWPL matchdays.
Some Rangers followers will be sick of stadium talk altogether after how last year panned out with developments to Ibrox.
| Glasgow women’s sides | Stadium |
| Rangers | Excelsior Stadium |
| Celtic | New Douglas Park |
| Glasgow City | Petershill Park |
Mulraney is open to discussions which have now started with the SFA, and could see Rangers move from their current Airdrie-based women’s home ground of Excelsior Stadium.
Celtic Women currently host home fixtures at New Douglas Park in Hamilton, while Petershill Park is home to Glasgow City, where Gers play their upcoming league contest.