Keith Wyness: Rangers 'very lucky' after 98 per cent Ibrox reveal

Rangers are "very lucky" to have such strong support and backing from their fans after another year of sold-out season ticket sales.

That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that Andrew Cavenagh and Co. must continue to treat the fanbase with "huge respect."

This comes after the Light Blues confirmed that season tickets for the 2026-27 campaign had sold out on 9 July, seven days earlier than they did last season.

Wyness believes that the board will be "very thankful" for the support in recent years, and feels it is vital for them to "communicate" that with the fans.

The club confirmed that they have once again enjoyed a renewal rate of over 98 per cent in their existing season ticket holders, despite price increases of 6.5 per cent compared to last year's ticket.

The Glasgow giants have also welcomed 700 new season ticket holders this summer, as Derek McInnes and his team look set to have strong backing next term.

Rangers' season ticket sales 'absolutely crucial' to finances

Aberdeen's former chief Wyness - who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs - believes that Rangers' season ticket sales are the bedrock of their finances.

The Gers and their Old Firm rivals Celtic can both count on the most widespread support in Scottish football, which gives them a huge advantage compared to other clubs.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness outlined the value of having such dedication within the fanbase.

"This is absolutely crucial, and the Rangers fans are absolute gold in terms of this sort of loyalty and doing things so quickly and at these prices," he said.

"This is where the Old Firm are very lucky having the fan bases that are incredibly loyal like this. They're also asking them to contribute more in the season ticket prices. 

"Rangers should be counting their lucky stars that they've got such a loyal fan base. They've got to treat the fanbase with that huge respect because this is crucial right now.

"Fair play to the Rangers fans; they've backed the club completely, the board should be very thankful, and they should make sure that they communicate that to the fan base."

Rangers summer U-turn down to 'agents'

Wyness recently told Football Insider that Rangers' change in plans for their pre-season tour was likely down to offers from "agents."

McInnes' men jetted out to Spain recently for a summer training camp, after the new boss opted to switch from the club's previously planned trip to Austria.

Wyness stressed that the U-turn could be down to McInnes' personal experiences or connections in Spain, or could also have come as a result of agents offering pre-season tours.

He made it clear that it should not be taken as a slight on Danny Rohl's previous plans for the team, but rather another opportunity arising.