Rangers fix sights on casino goal

The complex would be built next to the club's Ibrox stadium

Rangers Football Club have revealed plans for a £120m entertainment complex next to their Ibrox stadium in Glasgow.

The complex includes a casino, flats, a community sports facility, a health care centre and hotel and conference facilities.

Rangers chairman John McClelland said it would make an important contribution to the club's annual income.

The project is in partnership with Las Vegas Sands Inc, whose president said it would "bring fun" to the area.

Mr McClelland said the project would create about 2,000 jobs and help to diversify the Rangers brand.

If approved, the complex is expected to be completed by autumn 2007.

"The development of this campus is a key demonstration of our strategy of diversifying the Rangers brand into a wide range of leisure and entertainment complex orientated activities and franchises," Mr McClelland said.

John McClelland said the project would boost annual income

"The financial return to the club from these initiatives will be substantial and will make an important contribution to our annual income."

The chairman said the project's success would hinge on being able to attract business partners.

William Weidner, president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands, said the proposals were highly significant for the Scottish Premier League Champions.

"This announcement marks a milestone in the regeneration of the area around Ibrox," he said.

"We are excited by the prospect of assisting Rangers in building a first-class leisure facility and community centre close to the ground.

Astroturf relocation

"The Rangers project aims to bring fun, increased employment and enhanced public facilities to the area and we will help them in any way we can, including working closely with the local council to ensure that this development is in keeping with the needs of the city and the people."

The plans also involve the relocation of the current Ibrox community astroturf facilities and the construction of a new community sports facility, a club ticket centre and a cafe.

The centrepiece of the development will be the 168,000 sq ft leisure and entertainment complex.

Rangers said the plans, which involve the land next to Ibrox and the nearby Albion car park, should be formally submitted to Glasgow City Council by late spring.