Rangers hit by Champions League ‘disaster’ – Keith Wyness
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed the stadium situation at Rangers could have a “crucial” influence on their Champions League qualification campaign.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the chaos “couldn’t be a bigger disaster” for their chances of progressing to the league phase.
Rangers have confirmed they could be unable to start the new season at Ibrox, with development on the Copland Stand set to take longer than expected due to material shipping delays.
Scottish Premiership and European fixtures in August are likely to be impacted.
Philippe Clement’s side must overcome two-legged Champions League ties in the third qualifying round and playoff round to reach the league phase with Celtic.
Football Insider revealed earlier this year that league phase qualification could add at least £20million to Rangers’ transfer budget.
Rangers ‘disaster’ could hurt Champions League chances, says Wyness
Wyness claimed Celtic could go “much, much further ahead” of their Glasgow rivals if the Gers can’t qualify.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s absolutely crucial, it’s beyond belief.
“This is a crunch time for them. They need to qualify for the league phase otherwise Celtic go much, much further ahead.
“Rangers have got to count on the co-operation of other clubs in the league, with reversing fixtures and so on.
“They’ve not made many friends in the Scottish Premiership. There may be some clubs who want Rangers to pay the penalty.
“They’re reaping what they’ve sown in many ways.
“In terms of the European games, it couldn’t be a bigger disaster – in terms of being ready and prepared.
“The revenue from these games are also important, so it’s a disaster on many levels.”
In other news, Rangers open preliminary talks with Scotland international.
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