Dr Dan: Lot of money at stake for Rangers v Celtic clash in Australia
We’re delighted to welcome football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Rangers...
Rangers are in line to lose out on a major financial windfall if they do not play in the Australia tournament that involves Celtic.
According to Dr Dan Plumley, Gers have claimed that they will make the same amount of money from that tournament as they will in a year of the SPFL.
It also gives the Scottish game a chance to promote itself and broaden its horizons beyond the United Kingdom.
However, recent reports have stated that the club may look to pull out of the tournament.
Jim White himself said that the organisers are considering pulling the plug on the tournament.
Discussing the financial impact and the fans backlash, Plumley told Ibrox News,
“I understand the fan angle on it.
“However, there is value in the brand and I saw the commercial director at Rangers saying that participation in this tournament for eight days will benefit the club as much as an entire year in the SPFL.
“There’s no figure in it but that is his take on it and it’s a massive statement.
“Rangers have said they have 3million fans overseas with a support group in Australia.
“There will also be interest from the leagues for the two clubs to do this as it will broaden horizons.
“There is financial value in that fixture and taking it to a new market is the way to do that.
“The majority of this is, if not all of this is driven by finances.”
If it goes ahead, the competition is set to take place in November when club football will be on hold due to the FIFA World Cup.
It remains to be seen if after all this backlash if Gers still do not officially pull out from it.
In other Rangers news, the Gers beat a European club to seal a major signing.