Rangers news: Hutton shares ‘huge’ verdict as ‘absolutely massive’ windfall confirmed
The prize money Rangers receive as a result of their Europa League success could be “absolutely massive” for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.
That is the view of former Gers defender Alan Hutton, who was speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Ibrox club’s European exploits.
Rangers will face Braga in the quarter-finals of the competition after dispatching Red Star Belgrade in the round of 16.
As per UEFA‘s prize money breakdown (May 2021), Rangers have already earned a performance-based windfall worth around £4.9million.
£2.9million was distributed to every group stage side in September, with the Ibrox side also due to receive further payments relating to market share and coefficient ranking.
Hutton suggested a potential league win for Rangers could see them dominate Scottish football for the “next two or three seasons”.
“It’s absolutely massive,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“I think if you look at winning the Scottish Premiership, the prize is only £3million for winning the league as a whole.
“There’s this run and then there’s the potential of winning the league and getting into the Champions League.
“It’s going to be difficult for Rangers to win the league, but for Celtic as well – as football clubs, they’ll have plan A and plan B.
“They’ll be thinking ‘if we get it, this is the direction we can go’. They can reinvest, they can get those top targets.
“That’s why it’s such a huge season for Celtic and Rangers – if you win this title, you can really stamp your authority going forward for the next two or three seasons if your recruitment is good.
“It’s just about who can handle that pressure now.”
Rangers trail Celtic by three points atop the Scottish Premiership.
This season’s league winners will qualify directly to the Champions League group stage in the 2022/23 season.
In other news, Rangers to listen to offers for big-money signing.