Rangers close to finalising Hampden move as SFA talks at advanced stage

Rangers are close to agreeing a deal that will see them relocate to Hampden for the start of the season.

Gers chiefs have been scrambling to find a temporary new home due to ongoing delays relating to the renovation works being carried out on the Copland Road Stand at Ibrox. They'll be forced to play their games at an alternative venue for at least the month of August and had held talks with SFA and SRU chiefs over the possibility of playing at either Hampden or Murrayfield.

Scotland's national stadium in Mount Florida was always the preferred option and discussions are now said to be at an advanced stage as chairman John Bennett looks to rubber-stamp the deal in the coming days. Bennett has come under fire from Gers fans who have been left in the dark over where they'll be watching their team play, with less than a month until the Premiership kick-off.

Now, it's expected that Bennett will communicate with fans via the club's official channels when Rangers announce that they will be moving their home fixtures to Hampden for the opening weeks of the season.

Philippe Clement's side could potentially play five home games in August, including two European qualifiers, Premiership games against Motherwell and Ross County, plus a possible Premier Sports Cup last-16 match. Their first game at Hampden will either be a Champions League qualifier on August 6/7 or the visit of Well on August 10.