Ibrox capacity could reach 70,000 if rebuilding blueprint gets go-ahead

RANGERS have revealed they could rebuild Ibrox in an ambitious project to increase capacity and regenerate the area around the stadium.

The club may seek to expand their home to a 70,000-capacity arena, according to reports, although the main stand will remain largely intact as it is a Category B listed building.

In a statement, Rangers confirmed: "The club would like to inform its fans that it is currently assessing a number of proposals for the development and regeneration around Ibrox.

"At present we are analysing three strategies which would enhance the development of the existing outline planning proposals for the Hinshelwood area to the south of the stadium.

"One of the strategies includes the total rebuilding of Ibrox Stadium while retaining the brick facade, the tradition and the integrity of the Bill Struth Main Stand.

"The club stresses that at this time it is assessing these proposals and no decisions will be reached imminently. Further details will be announced at the appropriate time."

Ibrox could overtake Murrayfield, Celtic Park and Hampden to become Scotland's largest stadium, and increase Rangers' potential revenue.

The Govan ground currently holds 51,082 fans, falling behind Parkhead (60,832) and Hampden (52,000) as well as the home of Scottish rugby in Edinburgh, which is the largest stadium in Scotland at 67,500.

Rangers were previously granted planning permission for a major casino and hotel complex beside Ibrox when Glasgow was in the running for the UK's first regional casino, which was eventually awarded to Manchester last year.

One of the three strategies would see the removal of the giant screens currently housed between the Copland, Broomloan and Govan Stands and the lowering of the pitch to accommodate more seating, taking the overall capacity of Ibrox to 57,000.

Should work on any of the three schemes drawn up eventually take place, there will be the question of whether Rangers will need to play their home games away from Ibrox.

During the construction of the new Parkhead, Celtic played their home games of the 1994/5 season at Hampden before returning to a reduced capacity ground with temporary seating the following term. It was not until the beginning 1998/9 season that the stadium was completed, however.