‘Financially levitating’ – Scottish journalist makes Rangers Europa claim ahead of crunch tie
Daily Record chief football writer Keith Jackson has spoken of how important it is for Rangers to beat Galatasaray on Thursday, for both footballing and financial reasons.
The Gers will face off against the Turkish side at Ibrox in the Europa League, in a bid to reach the group stage of the competition.
With the financial constraints facing clubs in Scotland due to the coronavirus pandemic, progression to the group stage of the Europa League would really help to ease the financial burden on the Gers.
The Ibrox club will go into the game with confidence following their solid results so far in the competition. But Jackson has warned that players such as Arda Turan and Radamel Falcao still pose a threat to the Gers.
Speaking in the Daily Record Jackson said, “At times it has felt as Rangers have somehow been financially levitating their way through this pandemic but they cannot be immune to the consequences of Covid-19. Getting past Galatasaray might help to ease some strain but that’s an almighty task in itself.
“Gerrard must laugh when he hears some say that the Turks are not the force they once were when they can still afford to pay the wages of his former Liverpool teammate Ryan Babel, ex-Barcelona man Arda Turan and Colombian legend Radamel Falcao.
“He’ll need all his own star men to turn up if he’s to lead them into the group stages for a third season on the bounce. But, crucially, he’ll need them all just as much after next Monday night. There really is quite some week ahead.”
While Galatasaray do pose a threat to Gerrard’s side, Rangers have the home advantage, though the famous Ibrox crowd will be watching from home. Rangers will take confidence into the game on the back of their 5-1 away win against Motherwell on Sunday.
With the Gers boasting a record of two wins from two in the Europa League, scoring nine and conceding non, Rangers’ form should worry the Turkish side, who shouldn’t arrive in Glasgow expecting an easy win.
Sky Sports pundit Andy Walker suggested last week that Rangers could be forced to sell Ryan Kent to help ease the financial burden on the club. Gers fans will be hoping that a win against Galatasaray will mean Rangers aren’t forced to sell Kent or any other players.
Financial worries haven’t stopped Rangers making additions to their squad in the summer transfer window, with Ianis Hagi, Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten among some of the new faces around Ibrox.
The stakes are high for Thursdays game – lets hope Rangers can handle the pressure.
In other Rangers news, ‘Won’t settle for less’: Gerrard claims ‘excellent’ Gers star must bring that level all the time.