Barry Ferguson agrees Rangers’ lack of usage of Ibrox at the start of the season is far from ideal, but warns Philippe Clement and his players not to use it as an excuse. A mix-up in ordering materials for upgrades to the Copland Road stand has resulted in the work being significantly delayed, despite initial expectations that it would be completed before the start of the campaign. A solution has yet to be found, with the Gers needing to find another venue to play their home games – two league games, Champions League qualifications, and a possible Premier Sports Cup last 16 fixture if drawn at home.
Ferguson knows how important home advantage at Ibrox can be, especially when bedding in a number of new players still adapting to Scottish football. But he insists the whole situation can’t be used as an excuse and Gers must ensure they still hit the ground running.
Speaking in the Daily Record, he said: “They say home is where the heart is. So for Rangers to not have the basic privilege of playing in front of 50,000 at Ibrox for as many as five games in August is a problem. Let’s not beat about the bush. I’m not going to sit here and say everything in the garden is rosy when a mix-up over the cantilever construction work in the Copland Road stand has robbed Rangers of home advantage for a huge month. Now the fixtures have dropped the full scale of the situation is clear and it’s far from ideal. Home comforts are crucial to setting the right tone on a season.
“You need to rally your followers, but you also want to give the impression that the new team is at ease in their surroundings. Some guys who aren’t used to the furious intensity of the wonderful support may need some time to adjust. Others aren’t bothered. “But there’s a lot going on in the first month of the season, and it’s critical for setting the tone.
” I’ll tell you what, though: none of this can be used as an excuse. None of it. That simply will not fly with anyone. The players and management just cannot let it influence them. Not with so much at risk.
Rangers must find a way to get through August without repeating the mistakes that set them back a year ago.
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