Phase two began with the demolition of the old Centenary or North Stand. Since it was seated in 1973, it had never been very popular with the supporters. It was replaced by a new construction similar to the stands at either end but longer. The new North Stand (later renamed the Govan Stand) seated 10,300. Seats in all three new stands were in blocks of brown, orange, blue, yellow and red. It was the most modern up to date club ground in Great Britain. Under-soil heating, closed circuit television, computerised ticketing, food outlets and new toilets were all added at this time.
In 1981 the new Ibrox Stadium had a capacity of 45,000 with only 9,000 standing. The old stadium had at one time a capacity of over 100,000 with only 10,300 seats. Quite a change!
The above photo shows Archibald Leitch's Main Stand built in 1929 alongside the 3 new stands which were only a few years old when this photo was taken. The stand is virtually the same as when it was built nearly 60 years before, except with the roof mounted floodlights and changes to the Press Box.
In 1991 a false roof was fitted under the main Stand roof and a new third tier was added to Leitch's stand.
The small photo above shows the edge of the dummy or false roof, built under the old Main Stand roof, so that the new Club Deck could be built above it. The Main Stand continued to be used for matches throughout all this work.
This new tier was named the Club Deck and it was followed in 1994 by the removal of the final terracing area as the enclosures were finally changed to seating areas. This work cost £30 million but gave a all-seated capacity of 46,836. Ibrox was the most modern ground in the United Kingdom. This work was done in keeping with the style of Leitch's famous façade and included a white roof and glass circular stairways at either end which gave access to the new Club Deck.
Other work at this time included blue seating throughout all stands, a new telescopic tunnel and new high visibility team dugouts which were on pitch level, unlike the older style which were sunken and virtually on eye-level with the pitch.
Towards the end of the 1990's the final part of the jigsaw was completed. The corners between the Govan Stand and the two end stands were filled in and fitted with seating and massive television screens. The pitch has also been lowered to allow a few rows of extra seats at the pitch side. This work came to a total of £6.5 million. The capacity was now increased to 50,444.
Photo above - View on match days from Copland Front left.
Photo above - View on match days from corner of Copland and Govan Stands. The small photos are of Messrs Young, Waddell, Wilton, Struth, Symon and Wallace - just some of the great names who made The Rangers Football Club the fantastic institution it is today.
In 2006 an new area called Bar 72 (in tribute to the historic European Cup Winners Cup win of 1972) was built into the Govan Stand which increased the capacity to 51,082.
Photo above - The ground, which was once oval, shaped is now rectangular. It has been said that the spectator in the back row of the upper tier of the Copland Road or Broomloan Road Stands is still closer to the goal line than a spectator standing against the front wall behind the goal in the old oval shaped ground.
Photo above - Impressive card display (organised and paid for by supporters) before the Champions League match vs Inter Milan during season 2005/06.
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