Kieran Maguire: Up to £37m hangs in balance at Rangers after Gerrard reveal
Rangers know that up to £37million could be on the line when they face Alashkert in this evening’s Europa League qualifier.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Covid-hit Rangers’ prospects in the competition.
As per the Scottish Sun on 25 August, Steven Gerrard has been forced to self-isolate and has not travelled to Armenia for the second leg.
James Tavernier, Ryan Kent, Allan McGregor, Jon McLaughlin, Scott Wright and Calvin Bassey have also been ruled out after the Covid outbreak.
Rangers take a 1-0 advantage into the second leg but will also be without John Lundstrsam who was sent off in the first leg on 19 August.
Maguire reveals that Europa League champions can pocket as much as £40m in prize money from the competition.
And the finance expert claims that, even with prize money down by around eight per cent, Rangers will be desperate to qualify.
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “Money has to be split with the Europa Conference League this year.
“Uefa have budgeted for reductions for three seasons. That is to spread the impact of Covid and the hit they took on the back of that.
“There are significant amounts for wins and draws in the competition. Chelsea made about £40m from winning the Europa League.
“I think that has been hit by around about six to 8 per cent, so clubs will notice the difference.
“Scottish clubs benefit from the market pool, which is the contribution made by BT to the overall broadcast rights.
“BT pay a fortune, more than any other Europan broadcaster. If you pay 15 per cent of Uefa’s TV revenues, you get 15 per cent of a particular pot back.”
In other news, pundit tips “unhappy” Rangers stars to leave after Bacuna deal.