Rangers could still bank an additional £7.4m from Champions League participation
It’s been a miserable start to life back in the Champions League for Rangers after 12 years away from Europe’s flagship club competition.
Three defeats on the spin with no goals scored and nine conceded has been a brutal reintroduction to Europe’s elite. The group stage draw wasn’t kind to Rangers and realistically their qualification hopes are dead in the water.
However, there is still a lot for the Gers to play for in their remaining group stage matches, with each win earning a side competing in the Champions League £2.45million in prize money [Football Transfers.com, 22 May].
Therefore Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side still have £7.4million to play for in their remaining matches, with two of the fixtures coming at Ibrox.
A positive result against Liverpool will be unlikely, as will their trip to Naples to face a rampant Napoli side who are coming off a 6-1 win against Ajax. Realistically, Rangers’ best chance of a victory will come against Ajax at Ibrox.
Van Bronckhorst’s side also have a chance to snatch third place off of the Dutch giants. Ajax are currently three points ahead of Rangers with a better goal difference. If Rangers can steal a point off of Liverpool in their next fixture, then they could overtake the Dutch side if they beat them on matchday six.
Qualification for the Europa League would be an excellent achievement for the Gers and it would’ve been a realistic aim for when they started their Champions League campaign.
With plenty of money still to play for, Rangers fans should not get too disheartened after their poor start. A win and a draw could help fund some additional transfer business when the January window opens.
In other Rangers news, Tom English slams James Tavernier and Borna Barisic after what they did v Liverpool