RANGERS have submitted plans for an overhaul of the area around Ibrox that will involve a new multi-purpose facility being built on the Edmiston House site.

The derelict building is due for demolition later this year and ambitious blueprints have now been lodged with Glasgow City Council that will see the land transformed and become a hub for supporters on match day.

Rangers have a series of renovations in the pipeline ahead of their 150th anniversary celebrations in 2022 and the Edmiston House project is at the heart of the grand proposals.

Glasgow Times:

Managing Director, Stewart Robertson, said: “Today, we submitted our plans to Glasgow City Council for a fabulous building which we will use as a fanzone on match-days and also include a state-of-the-art Rangers museum, a café, a multi-purpose conference and concert venue and new retail facilities from where our partners, Castore, will operate The Rangers Store over two floors of retail space.

“The opening of the new multi-functional facility will be a major milestone in our 150th anniversary year. We expect the building to be fitted-out and fully operational in the first half of 2022.

“The demolition of the existing Edmiston House this autumn permits the re-orientation of the new building towards the axis of the stadium, and closer to Edmiston Drive.

“This substantial investment will provide fans with a vibrant pre and post-match experience and will draw fans to the stadium grounds well in advance of kick-off, creating an engaging offering within a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.

Our commitment to provide our fans with the best facilities in the country remains undiminished. As well as being an animated facility on match-days, it’s our ambition this building will be a hub of activity all year round.”

The Ibrox board have spent significant sums renovating and improving behind the scenes areas in recent months and a revamped home dressing room was used for the first time against Kilmarnock last weekend.

Glasgow Times:

But the plans submitted today will be of benefit to the local community as well as the club as Rangers add another exciting venue to Glasgow’s vibrant business and social scene.

Robertson continued: “It will add to the conference, banquet and music venues available in Glasgow, as well as becoming a destination for visitors to the city. New Edmiston House is designed to host dinners for 500 people, sit an audience of 750 and host gigs and events for up to 1300.

“We ensured the building was designed to complement, but not compete with, our iconic stadium. The internals on the ground floor can be easily adapted, and the spaces can accommodate many types of function and event.

“I am grateful to Glasgow City Council officials for their advice and support throughout this process. We look forward to continuing our positive engagement as we progress through the planning system.

"Earlier this week we were delighted to brief and discuss our plans with our local councillors and community councils. Their input is much appreciated.

“I am also grateful to the team of construction specialists and professionals who have assisted us in taking our plans to this stage.”