Rangers fans have Michael Beale to thank for transformative multi-million development at Ibrox
Michael Beale failed in his mission to guide Rangers into the Champions League this season, yet it could pay huge dividends in the long run.
The qualifying play-off defeat to PSV means the Gers are instead competing in the Europa League – a competition they have good memories in.
While reaching the Champions League would have meant a better calibre of opposition at Ibrox, last year proves it is not always a good thing.
Indeed, with six defeats from six in the 2022-23 group stage, and a goal difference of minus 20, it was the worst-ever performance from any team.
The Europa League provides a realistic opportunity to go all the way, meanwhile, as Rangers famously did just last year.
On that occasion, defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the final denied supporters one of their greatest ever nights supporting the club.
That run to Seville, though, ultimately helped to boost Rangers’ UEFA coefficient – not that it was much consolation to supporters at the time.
And in a way, competing in UEFA’s secondary club competition this season provides an opportunity to do likewise. But why does this matter?
Well, according to The Sun (26 October, page 49), Rangers are on course for a £50million windfall by qualifying for the Club World Cup.
The revamped edition of the tournament, to be held in the United States in 2025, is billed as the “biggest ever” club competition.
As the past three Champions League winners, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City will be joined by whoever wins this year’s competition.
The other eight places are based on UEFA’s coefficient list, with only one club per country allowed to qualify via that means.
Rangers are currently on that list alongside Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Roma, Villarreal, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Ajax.
However, the report suggests that Rangers will likely have to reach the knockout rounds of the Europa League to stay among that elite company.
By advancing to the last 16, they will pick up four coefficient points, as per UEFA, while also receiving two and four points respectively by finishing second or first in their group.
Ironically, had Beale taken Rangers into the Champions League and results been similar to last year, they would have slipped down this list.
In a strange way, then, Gers fans have Beale – and of course predecessor Giovanni van Bronckhorst – to thank for leaving this opportunity open.
It is now over to current incumbent Philippe Clement to take the Gers into the last 16 – and hopefully beyond – to keep the CWC possibility alive.
If they were to bring in £50m, which would not have been budgeted for, it could well lead to a hugely bright future for the Gers.
In other Rangers news, one of the Gers’ official partners has been left “puzzled” by a team news decision announced by Clement on Wednesday (25 October).