Hugh Keevins: Rangers suffer 'commercial blow' thanks to SPFL

Rangers will be hit with a “commercial blow” due to the SPFL’s scheduling of their Premiership fixture against St. Johnstone, according to Hugh Keevins.

The Daily Record columnist wrote on 8 September that Gers fans have been hamstrung by the timing of the match at Ibrox on 6 October, which is slated to kick off at 8pm on a Sunday evening.

Keevins argued that with the fixture not being the most desirable for an already-beleaguered fanbase in the first place, an 8pm kick-off makes the match even less attractive to fans with young children.

He said: “Rangers at home to St. Johnstone on a Sunday could hardly be described as box office at the best of times.

“But when the SPFL re-arrange the kick-off for a time when parents are putting their kids to bed for school the following day, what attraction the fixture did have in the first place suffers a commercial blow.”

Rangers return to Ibrox as SPFL dampen ‘box-office’ factor

The Gers’ match against St. Johnstone will only be their second Premiership fixture back at Ibrox following delayed redevelopments to their long-time home, and third overall.

Scottish League Cup and Premiership matches against Dundee and Hibernian respectively will precede the clash on 6 October, and are expected to have a celebratory atmosphere as the Gers finally go home.

However, with spirits anything but high in the wake of Philippe Clement’s side being hammered 3-0 by Celtic in the Old Firm, an 8pm kick-off on a Sunday in October will likely dampen any celebratory feeling.

St. Johnstone, currently four points and four places behind the Gers in the Premiership table, will not be expected to bring a massive away following, putting onus on the home fans to arrive at Ibrox in droves.

Seeing Ibrox half-empty just three games after its grand re-opening would not be a good look by any means, and if that proves to be the case, the Light Blues will point their fingers squarely at the SPFL.

In other Rangers news, the Gers have been linked with an international defender if one of their longest-serving players departs.

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