The Gers will have to make alternate plans for their first league game and the first two rounds of the Champions League qualifications as a result of the stadium’s unavailability due to delayed renovations to the Copland Road Stand [Stephen McGowan, 22 June].
Ferguson stated: “(Clement) will be desperate to see his revamped team start strong in the Premiership and take confidence and belief into the Champions League qualifying matches.”
“Without having to forfeit home advantage, it was already a difficult challenge.
“Clement could really do without it; it’s a huge own goal that there’s no getting around.”
Rangers can’t let the Ibrox fiasco derail them.
Clement needs a solid start to the current campaign more than ever after their end-of-season form collapsed to virtually gift Celtic the Scottish Premiership title last season.
If things don’t go well right away on both fronts—with Champions League qualifying also at stake in the first few weeks—Clement may find himself under a lot of pressure right away.
It is therefore not the best preparation to have to play for weeks at a time away from their longtime home; relocation to Hampden Park and even Murrayfield have been suggested.
A recent update has refuted early suggestions that Hampden was off the table, with the Ibrox faithful preferring to avoid moving to a new city altogether [Andy Newport, 20 June].
No matter where they finish, Clement’s job is still to guarantee Champions League status, start the new season with a bang, and prevent Celtic from gaining any momentum in what is already looking to be a very close race for the title.
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