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Rangers must be targeting another boost to their finances in a bid to restore parity on and off the pitch with rivals Celtic.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who exclusively explained to Football Insider that the difference in what the two clubs needed to invest hinged on European football.
Having ultimately finished 17 points behind Brendan Rodgers‘ side, the Bears opted against appointing interim boss Barry Ferguson as the permanent manager.
Rangers instead chose to appoint Russell Martin, making the ex-Southampton boss the first manager of the Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises era.
Following his appointment, the new owners and existing shareholders promised to invest £20m into Rangers.
After years of financial strife, the investment represented a reprieve from watching their rivals Celtic not only invest bigger, but also smarter, on their way to four successive SPFL titles.
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But it remains to be seen what impact that cash boost will have, given that the Hoops will once again receive Champions League revenue next season.
Champions League football the difference maker for Rangers and Celtic
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, finance expert Plumley explained the financial difference European football offered for the two clubs, and how that will influence how much money is invested in either club.
He said: “In terms of closing the gap, you have to go to the Champions League position here with these two clubs.
“I’ve said this time and time again, if you look at their revenue lines as an example, the difference between the two, if there is any or where the bigger differences are, is usually linked to Champions League, or not.
“Champions League versus Europa League, because they’re so strong in the domestic market.
“Last season, the Scottish coefficient allowed Celtic to be able to get into the group stage of the Champions League straight away.
“But Scotland has dropped out of that top 10 UEFA coefficient, so that means now that Celtic have got to go through one round of qualification, and Rangers, having finished second, have to go through three rounds.
“The difference in what these clubs might need to invest, whether you are Celtic or Rangers in that regard, is likely to hinge on what happens in the Champions League qualifiers.
“They’ll be really important for those two clubs in the immediate term, and if you can get into the Champions League group stages, that’s where you unlock that door to a significant uplift in revenue in the region of €20-30m (£17-25.5m).
“I think in terms of closing the gap or what they do in terms of jostling for position, I think a lot of that will hinge on how the Champions League qualifiers play out this summer.”
Rangers could close financial gap to Celtic with Nico Raskin sale
Whilst Champions League football remains the dividing line between the two teams’ finances, Pete O’Rourke revealed to Football Insider that Rangers might consider selling Nico Raskin if they receive an offer above £20m.
The Belgian midfielder has been one of the Bears’ best players since joining from Standard Liege in January 2023, making 95 appearances and scoring six times in that time frame.
Whilst new boss Martin would undoubtedly be keen to retain Raskin’s services and build a new look Rangers around the 24-year-old, a huge fee may be just what the Gers need to revamp their squad.
An offer of above £20m would allow the manager to secure several targets this summer in lieu of a place in UEFA’s most prestigious tournament.
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