UEFA chief provides major Rangers Europa League update
Rangers could be in danger of seeing their Europa League campaign scrapped this season, according to UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin.
The Gers are currently halfway through a Round of 16 tie against German side Bayer Leverkusen, and currently find themselves 3-1 down after losing the first leg at Ibrox prior to the suspension of the competition due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
As yet, there are no concrete indicators on when action is set to resume, but Ceferin has argued that if too much time passes, the governing body may be forced to scrap the competition entirely.
Speaking to German outlet ZDF, as per the Daily Record, he said: “We can’t play it out in September or October.
“If the authorities do not allow us to play, then we cannot play.”
Ceferin then reiterated UEFA’s current plan to resume play later in the summer.
He said: “It is still better to play the game behind closed doors and have it on TV, which is what the people need and want because it brings positive energy to their homes, than not playing at all.
“That’s what the people want, that brings positive energy, and it will be July or August.”
What does this mean for Rangers?
Look, if we’re being completely honest, the chances of us progressing beyond the Round of 16 this time around are slim to minimal.
Of course, anything can happen in football, but based on what we saw at Ibrox a few weeks ago, it would take a huge, huge performance for us to go to Germany and win by three clear goals, as would be needed to cancel out Leverkusen’s away goals.
In that sense, scrapping the Europa League this term wouldn’t be that much of a catastrophe for the Gers.
Financially, what could be much more damaging is the possibility of things overrunning this time around and preventing the competition from being played next season.
The prospect of not having European competition next term could cost those sides scheduled to compete in it around £50 million, according to the Scottish Sun.
It’s hard not to see that as a major concern.
With that in mind, from an Ibrox perspective, if push comes to shove, scrapping the tournament this season would probably be more advantageous.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox Exclusive: Alex Bruce reacts as 24y/o claims he was eager to join Gers.