How much Rangers can earn for Champions League qualification as expert reveals all – ‘Crazy’
Rangers are ready to finish off Viktoria Plzen and progress to the next round of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Russell Martin’s side defeated Plzen 3-0 at Ibrox last week, but know they must guard against complacency in the Czech Republic.
New loan signing Mikey Moore will not feature for Rangers, although his debut is surely on the horizon.
The financial ramifications are significant for the Gers if they progress to the final qualifying round, with big money now on the line again.
This article includes exclusive comments from football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley.
Rangers can net millions with Champions League progress
Ranger will face a tougher test in Plzen as the Czech side know they must record a resounding victory on home soil.
Football finance expert Dan Plumley – speaking exclusively to Ibrox News – has laid out what the Bears could earn in the Champions League this season, should they qualify.
“I’ve not seen official numbers for this year, but let’s assume they’re broadly in line with last year because the new format is in place now, so we can take that as a good ballpark,” he said.
“There’s money on the table for every fixture, there is a pot of money that gets shared out around the qualifiers, and as you progress through the qualifiers, you get a little bit more money.
“That’s in the low single-digit millions, though, so it’s not a huge amount per club, but you do benefit from that as you move through the qualifiers.
“The big ticket item is if you can make it into the group stage, and we know that last year, that’s going to be worth around £17.2 million in participation fees alone. Then, you’ve got to look at a few points that you pick up along the way in that group phase.
- Rangers could land around £17.2m for participating in the group stage
- They would earn more through television, corporate hospitality, and ticket sales
“You can add some playing bonus to that, you can add a couple more fixtures to it, you can maximise your corporate hospitality, ticket sales, etc.
“Then, you’ve got the TV pot on top, so for a club like Rangers, and looking at where the Scottish League is in European football, we know that if they can get into the Champions League, that’s going to be minimum £21.6m, probably somewhere between £21.6-25.9m when all said and done.
“It’s a huge incentive, and it dictates the rest of the season.
“Ultimately, I think that’s what we’ve always said with Rangers. It is about what competition they are going to be in terms of UEFA, so they’re in a good place to get through tonight. Of course, one more to go after that, and then that’s where you’re into the big money, and it can be season-defining already.
“I know it sounds crazy to say that, but it really is that kind of level with where Scottish football is and where Rangers are in that picture.”
Read more: Viktoria Plzen vs Rangers preview: Team news, possible lineup, prediction
Martin needs statement Champions League performance
It would be foolish to think that Rangers are already through against Plzen, and Martin will remind his players that the job is only half done.
The performance against Dundee was not up to standard, and now the 39-year-old will demand a response from his players.
Of course, if they progress, then the job is still not complete, as Club Brugge or RB Leipzig would stand in their way.
However, Martin can go a long way to winning the Ibrox faithful over if they can reach the Champions League group stage.
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