Rangers are just one step away from taking their share of a vast €2billion payout that comes as part of participation in the Champions League group stage.
That step is a very challenging one in the form of the two-legged Playoff round contest against PSV Eindhoven after they and the Gers confirmed their third qualifying round progression last night.
Losing out at the hands of Union Saint-Gilloise would have been a damning blow but thankfully the wrongs of last week’s dire performance in Belgium was put right with another euphoric European night at Ibrox.
Now with the Playoff round secured, Rangers are guaranteed a payout of €5 million if that is as far as the Champions League campaign goes for this season. That would mean dropping down into the Europa League where Rangers would be placed in Pot 1 for that group stage draw.
Tonight is for enjoying the victory but of course we will now look to the Playoffs.
The €5mil is guaranteed if we lose otherwise our share of the €2bn pot awaits 😛 Give us some of that!@GrandmasterSuck @ibroxrocks pic.twitter.com/pLxPBhDNHG
— Graeme Hanna (@graeme818) August 9, 2022
Windfall
The mammoth €2billion fund would be split between all participants in the main initial stage of the Champions League and depending on rankings, on pitch performance and TV rights.
Then at an individual club level, gate receipts, hospitality and other revenue associated with dining at European football’s top table should result in an income of between £30 and £40 million pounds, which is already set-up for Celtic, unfortunately.
We only have another week to get started with the Playoff action, with Ibrox set to host the first leg on Tuesday 16th August ahead of the return game in Eindhoven on Wednesday 24th.
It is a significant challenge that awaits Rangers but one that everyone at the club including the supporters should all be looking forward to – this is the level we want to be at.