Money talks, but unlike the Rangers supporters, it can’t talk back with a bite.
The supporters have won the battle over the proposed Old Firm ‘friendly’ as part of the Sydney Super Cup with confirmation provided this afternoon that the club will not be participating, showing that the protests and backlash from the stands had a profound impact.
With reports of around £3million being the payment amount for Rangers taking part in the Australia event, it will be blow to the club’s finances but most if not all of that can be obtained via other means, whether that be another off-season plan, merchandise or from appropriate commercial agreements.
Rangers can confirm the Club will not be participating in the Sydney Super Cup in November 2022.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 31, 2022
Thankfully, this decision means that there will be no reason for protests before or during Sunday’s pivotal Old Firm clash with the full focus of the supporters now firmly on roaring on Gio van Bronckhorst’s team to victory.
That would mean Rangers taking a huge step toward retaining the title and a successful winning side is what we all want.
Questions remain
Whilst this call is ‘better late than never’, it is one that should not have been required in the first instance. The board have made another significant mistake so the question is who is accountable and what happens next?
For now, everything is geared toward the title push and the end to the season on the pitch on all three fronts but answers and action should be forthcoming into the Summer when this whole farce should be properly scrutinised.
There was no mention of fan action and activism being the reason for the club pulling out but make no mistake, that is front and centre in this u-turn.