Ally McCoist worried for Rangers after what’s happened, ‘breaks my heart’
Ally McCoist is worried about what he has seen from Rangers as their Champions League qualification hangs in the balance.
McCoist shared his views on talkSPORT [12 August, 9:38am] during a discussion about whether Rangers can finish above Celtic in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Rangers have finished in second behind Celtic in five of the last six campaigns – Steven Gerrard winning the title with the Gers in the 2020/21 season.
McCoist said: “It’s vital that Rangers get a result against Dynamo Kyiv to get an opportunity at the Champions League, but at this moment in time – and it breaks my heart saying it – but you can’t see [them finishing above Celtic].”
He added: “It’s just total disappointment at this moment in time. Even not playing home games at home and having to go to Hampden Park. It’s testing times for the Rangers fans.”
Rangers need Champions League football this season
The Old Firm rivalry at the top of the table has dominated Scottish football for years but Rangers have never seemed so far away from their rivals.
Philippe Clement has the monumental task of challenging Celtic for the title this season amid one of the most drastic summer overhauls in the club’s history.
The finances at the Gers have been well-documented, with top-earners Connor Goldson, John Lundstram, Borna Barisic and Kemar Roofe departing the club, while James Tavernier, Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi are also expected to leave this summer [Chris Jack].
The Light Blues still need major surgery to build a side capable of toppling Celtic’s stronghold on the title, but selling their prized assets to fund new arrivals is not a sustainable route to achieve their goal.
A return to the Champions League would provide a much-needed cash injection into the Gers that could be spent on new signings without sacrificing their established stars.
Rangers last qualified for the Champions League group stage in the 2022/23 season after a 12-year absence, being drawn in a difficult group against Liverpool, Napoli and Ajax before crashing out of the competition with six straight losses.
The club stands to gain millions from participation in Europe’s elite competition, and the format change will lead to more games in the new league phase.
Clement needs to forget about Celtic and turn his attention to Dynamo Kyiv. The match at Hampden Park on Tuesday [13 August] could be the most important fixture in Rangers’ recent history.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues could be set for an instant £4million windfall.
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