Rangers are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2010 after prevailing 3-2 on aggregate against PSV Eindhoven. It is an achievement that will rank as one of the best in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s managerial career given the lengths that the club have to go to in order to sit at Europe’s top table. Indeed, historically, qualification is arduous and long whilst so often ending in failure for the Scottish side but under Van Bronckhorst, Rangers have successfully run the gauntlet for the first time in twelve years. With this in mind, does Champions League qualification currently mean more to Rangers than a title win?
Of course, there is no suggestion at this stage that Rangers will win the tournament and the latest Champions League odds reveal as much with the Gers at a price of 250/1 to hoist aloft European football’s most coveted prize at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium next June. However, in terms of revenue, qualification will mean a significant amount for Rangers.
FULL-TIME: PSV 0-1 Rangers (Agg 2-3)
Rangers 💙💙💙#PSVRAN | #UCL pic.twitter.com/JNrGN5Pku3
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 24, 2022
Indeed, the Gers will earn between £22 – £25 million after beating PSV and earning their Champions League berth. Of course, these figures don’t take into account the possibility of Rangers progressing out of their group which would mean this sum goes up exponentially should they do so. That may be an eventuality that people dismiss out of hand but it’s important to keep in mind that this Rangers outfit underneath Van Bronckhorst have a tendency to defy expectations in Europe.
This was evident during the 2021/2022 Europa League season when Rangers made it to the final before narrowly losing out to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties. Irrespective of this heartbreak in Seville, Rangers racked up an eye-watering £70 million in prize money which, on top of their newly earned Champions League payday, takes their European earnings to just shy of £100 million in a season.
How about that for a response?! 💫
Three minutes after falling behind, Antonio Čolak brings Rangers level.
Beautiful move! 😍#UCL pic.twitter.com/a7jDCozru9
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 16, 2022
As far as financial reward in the Scottish games goes, it should be stressed that £100 million is an absolute fortune and will set Rangers up to bolster their playing personnel. Perhaps you could even go as far as to say that the last eight months of European football have made up for Rangers’ plight into the fourth tier. At least, they’re now back onto a level playing field with Celtic in terms of revenue and have fast-tracked their revival.
Stevie G sends Gers on their way
Steven Gerrard did, of course, put the building blocks in place, especially after he guided the Gers to their 55th league title. Indeed, the current Aston Villa manager set the Ibrox comeback in motion but the work that Van Bronkhorst has done in a relatively short space of time has done more for Rangers than any manager over the last decade.
Yes, Rangers are back and now have a war chest to use as they plot another European journey this season. It has been a remarkable few months for the Gers and the future looks brighter than it has done for a long time.
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