Sport
Rangers News: Ibrox catch-22 appears with millions at stake in the Champions League
Philippe Clement admitted that he will be pushing all the way in all competitions at Ibrox, but the league and automatic qualification for the Champions League has been picked out
The football financial specialist acknowledged that, despite a “catch-22” with Scottish football’s coefficient, the money up for grabs in the Champions League is the primary driver of that.
“The group stage participation for the Champions League is the thick end of €15million [£12.7m], you can probably make €20million [£17m] out of the group stages all things considered.
“That’s much lower in the Europa League, you’re looking at €5million [£4.2m] participation fees in the group stages, so you can see the economic scale but it is also a little bit of a catch-22 given the conversation about the country coefficient because you have that balance there.
“If you have a good year in the Europa League this season, does that protect the coefficient? Or actually, by winning the league, getting into the Champions League, doing well, that may boost the coefficient as it is more points for a win in that.
“It’s a really tricky balance, but you have to look at it through the lens of the club, and it’s quite clear that the club’s priority is the league and the Champions League and I absolutely get that.
“It’s a fine balance but you can see where the cards are going to fall, you have to go with what’s right for the club, and financially and sporting-wise, winning the league and getting back in the Champions League is the priority.”
Rangers set for the Champions League?
Plumley has previously admitted that automatic qualification to the Champions League is “huge” in Scotland, and the pressure is now different with Rangers sitting top.
That is one to watch very closely with Celtic appearing to crumble, as Clement continues to push his side forward with one piece of silverware already secured this season.
In other Rangers news, Tam McManus has reacted to the draw v Benfica and predicted the second leg.
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