Think Rangers v Ajax is a meaningless game? Think again.
Pride, prize money and more is on the line tonight as Rangers end their Champions League campaign in what is most likely to be the last European game of the season, unless a ‘mission impossible‘ scale task can be overcome.
The team may be depleted and a sense of what could have been surrounds this fixture but not even the overall disappointment on the campaign should detract from what still should be a close-fought contest as well as a chance for Rangers to push on.
Challenge
Rangers have to beat Ajax by five goals to get third place and with it, Europa League qualification. A very tall order. 4-0 won’t do, that would only match the Dutch champions on head to head for them to prevail on overall goal difference, goals scored and a less worse record against Liverpool and Napoli.
Pride
With only one goal to show over five games, that must change against Ajax. Rangers risk being the ‘worst ever Champions League group stage team‘ if another defeat comes tonight which would also confirm a Group A whitewash. A couple of goals and a win would provide a boost in more ways than one, as well as shaking off any unwanted labels.
Prize Money
This is where the merits of this game alone become very clear.
Rangers would gain approx £802,000 from a draw with Ajax whilst a welcome win would secure a massive £2.4million in revenue for the club.
The revised financial distribution model in the Champions League means that not as much money is guaranteed in the group stages whilst those higher-ranked clubs benefit based on previous CL performance. Some would say it’s a Super League by the back door. This makes prize money even more important but it is very difficult to compete with the elite clubs, as much as this overall campaign from the Gers has been unacceptable.
With no points on the board so far, Rangers are yet to earn a penny in prize money as you get nothing for getting beat. This is the night for all that to change.