Rangers plans scuppered by ex-Club 1872 director as legal update emerges – report

Rangers could be forced to re-name their G51 sports bar due to a former director of Club 1872 owning the trademark, according to The Scottish Sun.

The newspaper reported on 8 September that the G51 name – a reference to Ibrox’s Glasgow postcode – is owned by Craig Houston, who trademarked it barely a week before the club announced their proposals.

The Gers’ hierarchy were reportedly aware of the clash back in the spring of 2021, but only announced the naming of their sports bar in summer 2023, five days after Houston filed the trademark with the Intellectual Property Office.

Club 1872 remain one of the Gers’ largest shareholders, but Houston has reportedly said he “wouldn’t want to sue the club”, and has ruled out taking legal action over the trademark infringement.

Rangers hit with latest Ibrox setback with return in sight

Ibrox has been a source of massive frustration for Gers staff, officials and fans alike so far this season, after all three were hit with the bombshell that the stadium wouldn’t be ready for use until September.

Further trouble with the naming of their new “state of the art” sports bar only adds to the feeling of malaise that has set in amongst the club’s fanbase regarding the treatment of their long-time home.

However, a return date of 21 September has finally been set in stone, when the Light Blues will host Dundee in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals – albeit with the Copland Road Stand still not in use.

The prospect of a best-in-class sports bar opening could prove to be a silver lining for a fanbase forced to temporarily relocate to Hampden Park in the opening weeks of the new campaign.

Regardless of the name it’s given, the Gers hierarchy will be hoping that their new bar is a success with fans, but given the start Philippe Clement’s side have made this campaign, all eyes will be on the pitch.

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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