Rangers hit by ‘expensive’ blow as Celtic profit – Keith Wyness
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Rangers failing to qualify for the Champions League is “more expensive than ever” due to the new format.
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 – claimed the blow has “punctured Rangers’ hopes of coming back at Celtic in the near future”.
Football Insider revealed last week (14 August) that Philippe Clement’s side have missed out on earning an extra £40million in revenue following their elimination.
Meanwhile, Celtic are set to land a bigger slice of TV revenue as well as the £40million as they are the only Scottish representation in the competition.
The Hoops have already won Scottish Premiership titles in 10 of the last 11 seasons and can match Rangers with 55 top-division trophies this season.
Clement’s side will play in the Europa League this term with the draw set to be made on 30 August.
Champions League blow is ‘more expensive than ever’ for Rangers, says Wyness
Wyness suggested Rangers must keep faith with the Belgian boss, who has recently signed a new deal at Ibrox.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s a massive blow.
“It’s really punctured the balloon of Rangers’ hopes to come back at Celtic in the near future.
“With the new Champions League format, it’s even more expensive for them than ever.
“They’re now in a longer strategic rebuilding process and they’ve now got less resources to do it.
“It’s got to be strategic, not knee-jerk.”
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