The Europa League play-off round represents the chance for Rangers to secure a seven figure sum to boost the club’s finances.
It has been reported by the respected Swiss Ramble football finance account that the Europa League Last 16 stage will result in the collection of £1.2 million in prize money.
This would of course supplement the funds already accrued from this season’s campaign to date, with the Scottish champions set to find out their latest opponents today, in what is the third consecutive season of European knock-out football at Ibrox.
Each of the 32 clubs in Europa League group stage get €3.63m plus €630k for a win and €210k for a draw. Additional prize money: win group €1.1m (runners-up €550k), knockout round €500k, last 16 €1.2m, quarter-final €1.8m, semi-final €2.8m, final €4.6m and winners €8.6m pic.twitter.com/yXNneL5cfv
— Swiss Ramble (@SwissRamble) December 13, 2021
From the figures above, Rangers have earned almost £6 million from group stage participation (on the pitch) alone this season, as well as the significant sums from gate receipts, as well as the revenue from the ill fated Champions League qualifier against Malmo at the outset of the campaign.
Today’s draw brings the potential of a massive glamour tie against the likes of Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund or even Zenit or Sevilla – all of those opponents would represent a tall order to qualify against the ‘best’ draw with a view to qualification in the form of Sheriff Tiraspol.
That is the trade off which will be chewed over once the draw is known, set against the greatest priority which is obviously the Premiership campaign and the Champions League riches that are on the line.
In the short term, further Europa League millions are within reach this season but that will depend on just how high the Gers can climb under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the calibre of opposition to follow.