Hugh Keevins shares Rangers financial prediction as top priority emerges at Ibrox
Journalist Hugh Keevins has claimed that Rangers’ qualification for the Champions League group stage is the club’s top financial priority.
Writing for the Daily Record, Keevins emphasised that the Gers could not compete financially with rivals Celtic due to their significantly stronger player sales so Beale’s progression in Europe is a priority amid a busy window in Glasgow.
Rangers enter the Champions League in the third round of qualifying, with Beale under pressure to ensure the financial success that comes with qualification to the group stages as they also look to challenge Celtic in the league.
Keevins said: “I wouldn’t pretend to know how much money Rangers have in the bank but I’m guessing qualification for the group stage of the Champions League is a financial priority in the early part of the season when there are, so far, six incoming transfers to be paid for.
“It’s all very well for Michael to say he’ll be going “hell for leather” to get there but what about the leathering he’ll get, metaphorically speaking, for the hell of finishing second to Celtic in the domestic league? That’s an awful lot of pressure for one man to bear but that’s the reality of Beale’s situation.”
Financial priority
Rangers have been spending this window. They are clearly attempting to compete on all fronts this year and consistent and quality reinforcements will go a long way to achieving this aim.
However, it may all be over just as fast as it began if Beale can’t secure a group stage place for Rangers. Teams who qualify get £13.5million, while performance bonuses are given to well-playing teams [The Mirror].
This would be a significant boost to the likes of Rangers, who while being active in the market have been shrewd and not spent massive sums. The £13.5million plus potential bonuses would go a long way in covering much of their transfer fees.
Rangers have signed Cyriel Dessers for a reported $4.5million [Daily Record], Sam Lammers in a reported £3million [Sky Sports]] deal and look to claim the signing of LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes for £1.2million [Daily Record].
Recouping as much of these fees as possible will help Rangers significantly, and if the signings made can have a real impact on the club then the initial gamble will have paid off.
But, pressure mounts for Beale on all fronts. Celtic’s domination of the league was only broken by Steven Gerrard and then-coach Beale in 2020/21, and Beale will want to claim his first Scottish title as a manager to relieve himself of some of the pressure Keevins has predicted.
Champions League expectations are likely to be low, but qualification for the group is essential.
In other Rangers news, former Ibrox star sends a message to new incoming attacking signing.