A multi-million pound plan to rebuild Ibrox Stadium into one of the biggest in Britain is being developed by Rangers chairman David Murray.

The club has confirmed it is looking at three options to increase the capacity of the stadium and transform the area surrounding Ibrox.

Rangers failed in its plan to have an Ibrox Sands supercasino resort outside the ground when the single UK licence was initially granted to Manchester, before the government backtracked on the proposals.

The preferred option is believed to involve capacity being increased from 50,411 by 40%, with the new Ibrox seating 70,000 supporters in a rebuild of the existing four-stand structure into a bowl-shaped stadium.

Club officials have said the landmark red-brick facade of the main stand on Edminston Drive would be retained and incorporated into any new plan, which could also see the name changed to that of a new corporate sponsor, similar to many deals in England, such as Arsenal's Emirates stadium.

One of the options being considered involves a hotel, retail and housing complex at Hinshelwood on the site to the south of the main stand, where the supercasino was proposed. It is occupied by housing.

To the west, behind the Broomloan Stand, land is believed to be earmarked for a major retail development.

The cost of the development is reported to be £700m.

Only Manchester United's Old Trafford would be bigger in Britain, with the new Ibrox exceeding the capacity at the homes of Celtic, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Inspiration for the playing surface is taken from the state-of-the-art pitches used in Japan and Korea for the 2002 World Cup finals with a "hovering pitch" that can slide outside the stadium to allow the grass to be protected and the space to be used for concerts and other major events.

A Rangers spokeswoman said she was unable to comment on the details of the plan.

However, a statement to fans on the club website said: "We are analysing three strategies which would enhance the development of the existing outline planning proposals for the Hinshelwood area to the south of the stadium.

"One of the strategies includes the total rebuilding of Ibrox Stadium while retaining the brick facade, the tradition and the integrity of the Bill Struth Main Stand."

The rebuild is expected to take around two years with the club seeking to play home matches at Hampden.

The stadium has undergone a transformation following the Ibrox disaster in 1971, when 66 fans died.