Rangers confirm reopening of Copland Rear and return to full Ibrox capacity

Rangers have confirmed that the Copland Stand will be fully open for their Premiership match against Hibernian, bringing Ibrox Stadium back to full capacity.

The club began improvement work in the summer to relocate the section of the ground for disabled supporters and improve their facilities, as well as increase the overall capacity at Ibrox.

A delay in the arrival of materials from Asia left the club unable to host their own games at the beginning of the season, and forced Rangers to rent Hampden from the Scottish FA for early domestic and European fixtures.

Philippe Clement and his team returned to Ibrox last weekend for their Premiership match against Dundee but the Copland Stand was partially closed with work still being completed.

Now the stand has had the sign-off for fans to return.

It has also been confirmed that Hibernian will receive “a full away allocation” for the game, after uncertainty about how many travelling fans could be accommodated.

A club statement read: “Rangers are pleased to confirm the reopening of the Copland Rear, and therefore the full capacity of Ibrox Stadium for Sunday’s Scottish Premiership match with Hibernian.

“The club cannot thank our loyal supporters enough for their patience in these last number of weeks as works in the Copland Stand to provide top-class facilities for our disabled supporters, as well as an increase in overall capacity, have been ongoing.

“The reopening this weekend coincides with Rangers beginning to mark 125 years at our iconic home, with everyone at the club looking forward to a fantastic match on Sunday lunchtime.”

Speaking to the media last week ahead of the return to Ibrox, Rangers manager Clement spoke of the importance of being in front of the home support.

He said: “It is a plus, you can feel it in the building, I was there yesterday and you get a special feeling coming back there.

“I know that is the same with all the players, I have felt that already this week in training that they were giving something extra, and I think that will be the case with the fans also.

“It is like coming home after a really long time, it felt like we have been away for ten years or something and we are really happy to be coming back.

“The enthusiasm of the fans can always help, and in that way playing at Hampden was more difficult, and we know why, so it always helps.

“And it is not just that way here, it is the same with a lot of clubs all over the world to play in front of your own fans.

“And especially at Ibrox, with so many passionate fans, it can be a big help to us to play there and have that support.”