Rangers send delegation to inspect new venue as Ibrox chaos causes Clement 'Headache' - report

Rangers sent a delegation to Hampden Park last week to inspect the pitch as they consider hiring the venue while Ibrox is out of action, according to the Daily Record.

The paper reported via their website on 9 July that the Gers hierarchy are considering hiring the national stadium for the “foreseeable future” amid talks on where to play home games after delayed building work back in Govan caused chaos for the start of the season.

Murrayfield is said to remain “live” as an alternative as the matter continues to cause Philippe Clement a “headache” ahead of the new campaign.

The Light Blues are set for more discussions with the Scottish FA over Hampden, according to BBC Sport (8 July), with summer concerts requiring the pitch to be relayed and Queen’s Park also having an agreement to play there.

Rangers could play at Hampden Park or Murrayfield

The Gers managing to throw a spanner into the works of their manager’s plans to overhaul the squad and get off to a fast start in the new season is the sort of development to leave the fanbase thoroughly dispirited.

Hampden may at least be in Glasgow to potentially minimise disruption for travelling supporters but if there are issues with the pitch it could prove to be more disruptive to the players.

Clement must shoulder his share of the blame for last season falling apart late on to allow Celtic to record a league and cup double, but might justifiably point to the endless stream of injuries he had to contend with.

Action is expected to be taken behind the scenes on that front this summer [Rangers Review, 17 June], so as the Belgian sets about moving on players who he hasn’t been able to rely on to play and brings in new signings to increase the physicality of his side, he would have wanted all the outside factors to be conducive to building momentum from the off.

He may be able to do that when the fixtures start but the fact that the matter is even a potential distraction is unwelcome, especially when it is unclear how long Ibrox will even be out of action for.

Ultimately all the players can do is focus on doing their jobs on the pitch as best they can, and while the squad can’t use venue disruption as an excuse for poor performances it would also be unreasonable to entirely dismiss it is a factor in their preparations.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues could now snap up a new free agent they have “done their homework” on after he became available.

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