Rangers chief claims council supports fan zone proposal
RANGERS could finally be given the chance to create a fan zone at the Ibrox Football Complex.
Talks have taken place between the club’s hierarchy, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life.
The plan to host a fan zone at the football centre was due to be piloted last month.
But it was scrapped amid community council objections and accusations of political intervention by leading SNP councillors.
Speaking after yesterday’s meeting, however, Rangers’ managing director Stewart Robertson said: “Having had the opportunity to meet with the chief executive of Glasgow City Council, Annemarie O’Donnell, and the chief executive of Glasgow Life, Bridget McConnell, at Ibrox, I am pleased and encouraged to report they both reiterated the council’s support for the running of a fan zone at Ibrox.
“It is vital to remember that the Ibrox Football Complex is a facility that falls short of modern standards – but I outlined to the council that Rangers would be keen to play an active role in its redevelopment and management.
“It is now very clear to me that Annemarie and Bridget appreciate and are supportive of the plans Rangers are developing, not only for a fan zone but also to improve the infrastructure in and around the stadium in the run-up to our 150th anniversary, in 2022, and the Ibrox Football Complex will form a key component of those plans.”
A statement from Ms O’Donnell said: “Rangers’ relationship with the local community has radically changed in recent years, they are actively working closely with their local community and I want to discuss with them how the city council can support that ambition.
“We discussed the issue of fan zones and I was happy to reiterate the city council’s support for the principle of fan zones.
“We have agreed to work together with Rangers on future plans for the Ibrox Football Complex which will ultimately deliver a facility with long-term benefits for the local community.
“In the shorter term, we will continue to work with Rangers and community representatives to explore the facilitation of a fan zone for the Rangers supporters.”
Rangers had planned to host four pilot events at the Ibrox Football Complex, starting with the St Mirren game on August 12 but those were pulled days before the fan zone was due to take place.
Glasgow Life have previously confirmed that they would not allow use of the football centre after the area’s community council objected to the plans.
Last week, the council’s deputy leader David McDonald again stated that he, council leader Susan Aitken and Govan councillor Stephen Dornan, had not intervened to stop the club using the Ibrox Football Complex.