Neil Lennon shares Rangers Champions League admission
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon insists winning the Scottish Premiership is of more importance to Rangers than qualifying for the Champions League.
The Gers take on Servette at Stade de Geneve on Tuesday [15 August] protecting a 2-1 lead from the first leg of their third-qualifying round tie.
Should they see through the challenge, the Gers then face a showdown with either PSV or Sturm Graz to reach the group stage of the competition for the second season running.
However, after losing one of their opening two Scottish Premiership games, Lennon believes the domestic league will take priority for Michael Beale’s men.
Lennon, speaking to PLZ Soccer, said: “I’m not convinced qualification for the Champions League is as important for Rangers or Michael as winning the Championship.
“He’s got to get them up to speed and give them a fluency that we’ve not seen as yet.
“Beating Livingston would have done them good, but every time he goes to the well there’s less money there for him.
“Getting the three points is good and sets them up for a difficult game that I think they’ll come through.”
Not mutually exclusive
Lennon’s comments are hardly controversial, as the vast majority of Rangers supporters would no doubt take pipping fierce rivals Celtic to domestic honours over making it to the Champions League proper.
But the two are not mutually exclusive. The ideal scenario for Rangers would be qualifying for UEFA’s showpiece competition and also coming out on top in the Scottish Premiership.
Financially speaking, Rangers will earn substantially more from seeing off Servette and then winning their final qualifying tie than they would from winning a first league title in three seasons.
It must also be remembered, though, that Beale’s side have the safety net of Europa League football if they do not progress into the Champions League, and supporters were given the ride of a lifetime when reaching the final of that competition last year.
The pressure will no doubt increase on Beale if Rangers do indeed fall short on the continent, but it is in the league where he deserves to be judged come the end of the campaign.
In other Rangers news, Servette head coach Rene Weiler has warned the visitors all the pressure will be on them when they face off in Geneva.