Tim Wigmore
Updated on: October 7, 2024 11:23 pm GMT
Rangers’ Match Rescheduled Due to Event Conflicts
Rangers Football Club has confirmed a change in the schedule for their upcoming Scottish Premiership match against St Johnstone, set for Sunday, October 6, 2024. The kick-off time has been shifted to 8:00 PM BST, a decision made necessary by the concurrent Great Scottish Run, which will impact transportation and road access in Glasgow. Earlier discussions about alternative timings were ultimately turned down by other involved stakeholders, culminating in this late start to accommodate the event.
Impact of the Great Scottish Run
The Great Scottish Run is a significant annual event that draws thousands of participants and spectators. This year, the run will occupy many main roads in the Southside of Glasgow until the late afternoon. Consequently, Rangers indicated that it would be impractical to hold a traditional afternoon kick-off when many fans would struggle to reach the stadium safely and efficiently. The club expressed an understanding of the inconvenience this decision may cause to supporters and acknowledged their disappointment.
Alternative Options Rejected
In response to the scheduling challenge, Rangers proposed multiple alternatives, including an earlier kick-off and a potential fixture reversal. Both suggestions were ultimately rejected, barring the possibility for any satisfactory resolutions. “Playing on Saturday is not feasible considering our match with Lyon is on Thursday evening,” the club explained in a statement. Monday was also deemed unworkable due to it intersecting with the international match window.
Continued Engagement with Stakeholders
Despite the scheduling setbacks, Rangers reiterated their commitment to working closely with Glasgow City Council and public transport operators to mitigate travel issues for fans. Information on access routes and transportation updates will be shared as the match day approaches to help fans navigate any challenges stemming from the late kick-off time.
Fixture Changes and Live Broadcasts
As part of the updated fixture list, several matches involving Rangers will now have new dates and broadcast arrangements. The match against St Johnstone has been earmarked for live coverage by Premier Sports, ensuring that those unable to attend the game in person can still watch the action unfold. Along with the change in fixture time for Rangers, the previous week’s match against Hibernian has also been rescheduled to kick off at noon on Sunday, September 29, also broadcasted by Sky Sports.
Updated Fixture Information
The alterations to the fixture list reflect the unique challenges of balancing league matches with international and European competition schedules. Below is a summary of Rangers’ upcoming matches as part of the Scottish Premiership fixtures:
| Date | Match | Kick-off Time | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, September 15 | Dundee United vs. Rangers | 12:00 PM | Sky Sports |
| Sunday, September 29 | Rangers vs. Hibernian | 12:00 PM | Sky Sports |
| Sunday, October 6 | Rangers vs. St Johnstone | 8:00 PM | Premier Sports |
| Sunday, October 27 | Rangers vs. St Mirren | TBC | TBC |
| Sunday, November 10 | Rangers vs. Hearts | TBC | TBC |
| Sunday, December 1 | St Johnstone vs. Rangers | TBC | TBC |
| Sunday, December 15 | Rangers vs. Aberdeen | TBC | TBC |
Fans’ Concerns and Future Plans
As the kick-off date approaches, Rangers acknowledges the concerns of their fan base regarding the unusual scheduling. The club is committed to facilitating discussions with all relevant parties to ensure that travel arrangements for supporters are as smooth as possible. Detailed travel updates are expected to be released shortly, including alternative transportation options and guidance on navigating road closures due to the Great Scottish Run.
This situation reminds us that scheduling sports can be tricky, especially when big events happen at the same time as regular games. As the season goes on, there will be more updates about any changes to the game schedule, so fans should keep an eye out for news from their favorite teams.
