Jim Gillespie must focus on increasing Rangers’ revenue as red light flashes
Rangers may need to place greater focus on increasing revenue streams in the near future, Keith Wyness believes.
The Ibrox side have long benefitted from regular involvement in continental competition, but that pathway may no longer be guaranteed in Scotland.
With uncertainty surrounding Scotland’s coefficient and, as a result, access to European football, attention is beginning to turn to how clubs can protect their income streams.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Wyness has suggested that new CEO Jim Gillespie has immediate work to do when it comes to future-proofing the financial situation at Auchenhowie.
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Keith Wyness issues Rangers revenue warning amid European uncertainty
Rangers sit second in the Scottish Premiership standings, just three points behind league leaders Hearts.
Though revenue streams are going to become ever so critical for sides aiming for Europe, simply due to the fact that the same spots may no longer be a guarantee.
This comes at the same time as a recent update from the Ibrox club outlining a reallocation of existing capital from shareholders.
| Stat/figure | Explanation |
| £16m | Amount Rangers aim to raise for player acquisition and other club needs |
| 1000 shares | Minimum buy-in for shareholders wanting to participate in share issue |
| £36m | Total invested since 49ers takeover in 2025 |
| 6.5% | Adult season ticket price increase |
Former Aberdeen, Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Wyness outlines just how important revenue will be moving forward for Gillespie.
“Believe me, his desk is going to be, his in tray is going to be very full when he gets in there fully,” Wyness told Ibrox News.
“I started thinking about this a bit further, and one of the key things he’s going to have to be doing is revenue. Now, the reason is, I mean, look, Rangers and Celtic, you European connections are now in great jeopardy thanks to the Scottish coefficient being so low and Scotland being outside the top 15.”
This comes at a time when Scotland’s coefficient has not been aided at all this term, with Rangers dumped out of the Europa League at the first hurdle, while Celtic crashed out against Stuttgart just a round later.
Elsewhere, Aberdeen were soon to exit the Conference League, also at the first hurdle, while Dundee United and Hibs failed to qualify.
“That means the qualification for European competitions is no longer almost a given as it was before. And that’s why every Scottish football had it great for a long period when the top two would just basically sail into European competitions and be able to count on that European money.
“So he’s got to make sure that there is a much better handle on the commercial revenue streams with Rangers,” said Wyness.
“I’ve always felt those clubs have underperformed in terms of the ability given the size of the fan base they have. And he is going to have to work on that really hard from day one and create those revenue streams because the European money is, as I say, no longer a given.
“So that’s going to be a big red light that’s going to be flashing for him.”
Rangers under pressure if European income drops
The simple fact of the matter is that if Rangers are no longer able to rely on consistent European football, the pressure will shift firmly onto finding income streams elsewhere.
With the financial situation of Scottish football in mind, both the Gers and Celtic have often struggled to compete with other clubs across the continent simply due to the financial disparity – a gap that would become even larger without the bonus of European football.
As of now, both Rangers and Hearts are on for a spot in the Champions League qualifiers, with no guaranteed spot available due to the coefficient ranking.
Qualification for Europe’s premier competition alone brings in around £16million, while winning the Europa League brings in a contrasting £3.6m – still, this latter figure eclipses the total expenditure of the league leaders last summer.
Rangers are a giant of European football, one that has to punch above its weight to compete with those towards the top of the financial pyramid.
European football brings a guaranteed windfall; if that were to be lost, the risk is there of further slipping away in comparison to others across the continent, further emphasising the importance of additional revenue coming from elsewhere.
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