The SFA are willing to offer Rangers the use of Hampden after it emerged that Ibrox is likely to be unavailable for the first month of the season due to a delay over building supplies.

The Glasgow giants yesterday revealed they were reviewing contingency plans for home games due to an unforeseen wait for materials being shipped from Asia. This is holding up the completion of work on the Copland Road stand.

The William Hill Premiership campaign is due to kick off on the first weekend of August, with Philippe Clement’s side also hoping to host two Champions League qualifiers around then.

Contrary to some reports, however, Mail Sport believes the National Stadium is one possible option for Rangers.

Although the Hampden pitch will be ripped up after two concerts by American artist Pink on June 28 and 29, it will be relayed in time for the start of the domestic football season.

While no discussions have yet been held over a short-term lease arrangement, the SFA are said to be open to securing one with Rangers.

Any arrangement would have to tie in with Queen’s Park’s schedule after the Spiders returned to their spiritual home last season.

Murrayfield has also been mooted as a possible option. Rangers are due to play a pre-season friendly against Manchester United at the home of Scottish Rugby on July 20 and the arrangement with the SRU could be extended.

While reversing fixtures to ensure Rangers only initially play away from home is another possible solution, that is being seen as a last resort.

There is precedent for top-flight league games being staged at Hampden and Murrayfield.

With their own ground being rebuilt in season 1994-95, Celtic decanted to the south side of Glasgow for an entire campaign.

Murrayfield also hosted four Hearts games at the start of season 2017-18 as the new main stand at Tynecastle was being finished off.

Explaining the situation, a Rangers’ statement read: ‘Rangers has recently been advised of a delay in a materials shipment from Asia which is likely to have an impact on the programme for the completion of the Copland Stand works.

‘It is therefore expected, unfortunately, that there will be an impact on matches at Ibrox at the beginning of the 2024-25 competitive season.

‘The club has engaged with the SPFL and UEFA in order to review planned contingency arrangements. Naturally, everyone at Rangers is deeply disappointed with this news.

‘The club is working intensively to ensure that all steps are taken to deliver the project at the earliest possible date and a further progress update will be issued to supporters in due course.’

The Scottish Professional Football League are working to help Rangers find a solution.

An SPFL spokesperson said: ‘We have received notification from Rangers FC that they may be unable to host SPFL fixtures in August at Ibrox Stadium due to ongoing stadium works.

‘We have agreed to work with Rangers on how we can best mitigate this situation following next week’s publication of the fixture calendar for season 2024-25.’

Meanwhile, Rangers have confirmed that Connor Barron has joined the club on a four-year deal after leaving Aberdeen as a free agent.

The midfielder came through the youth ranks at Pittodrie, making 105 appearances, including games on loan at Brechin City and Kelty Hearts.

The Scotland Under-21 international becomes Philippe Clement’s third permanent signing of the summer.

Brazilian left-back Jefte joined from Fluminese while French centre-back Clinton Nsiala arrived from AC Milan. Winger Oscar Cortes has also returned for a second loan spell from Lens.

‘As soon as I started talking to the club I knew that this was the place for me to come,’ Barron told Rangers’ website.

‘Everything seemed right and I think it is the best place for me to be at this moment of my career.

‘It is a club where the demand is high to win football matches and trophies and that is something that I really want to be a part of. It was a massive decision for me, but it was made easy by speaking to the staff and the manager and now I can’t wait to get started.’

Midfielders Ryan Jack and John Lundstram are among the players to have left Rangers this summer and Barron bolsters the manager’s options in the middle of the park.

‘We are thrilled to welcome Connor to the club,’ said Clement.

‘He’s a young talented player with the right mentality who’s already gathered a lot of experience in the Scottish Premiership and in Europe.’

Hamza Igamane is also expected to join Clement’s squad in the coming days. The Moroccan striker is edging closer to completing a £1.5m move from AS FAR Rabat.