‘Devastating’ – Exclusive: McLeish fires major transfer warning to Rangers
We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Alex McLeish has dismissed any stories of Rangers being in financial trouble and said the club seems to be in “fine fettle”.
However, he did fire a major transfer warning with Rangers looking on course to win the Premiership and possibly other domestic honours.
He said that he was forced to sell six or seven players after winning the treble and that the consequences of that were “devastating”.
Interest in Rangers players is likely to be much higher in the summer if Steven Gerrard wins the 55th title for the club.
But, with Rangers posting a £15.9m loss, Mcleish said they could look to try to balance the books with one big-name sale.
Talking exclusively to Ibrox News McLeish said, “The financials are one thing I try not to get involved in too much.
“Steven is the first to say, he’s already said that the directors have backed him brilliantly in the transfer market.
“He’s built a great squad and there isn’t any need for big additions.
“And they’re such a big club that it’s tough to envisage they can’t make money in the future. They also have the benefit of having wealthy people who are Ranger supporters behind them and can cover any shortfall.
“It seems to come out every year, a story about Rangers and money but they seem to be in fine fettle at the moment.”
Asked about the possibility of player sales next summer McLeish said, “It’s possible. Going back to the year of the treble when I was there we lost about eight or nine of those players and the consequences were devastating.
“We had to build a new team and we didn’t get as good a rhythm. That can become a problem. You win the title this year and next year you’re balancing the books and Stevie is told to sell some players.
“I think it will be done wisely. If there comes a time, with a team coming in with an offer that can’t be refused, then they might allow themselves to do that.”
In other Rangers news, Gerrard to axe ‘magic’ 22yo in 7 changes – Predicted Rangers starting XI v Standard Liege