Rangers set the club’s fans elite prices for competing at the elite Champions League level – but the support got anything but elite performances for their substantial investment.
The Gers sold three-match packages for their first foray into the Champions League in 12 seasons and wound up as the competition’s worst-ever participants. Let’s say that again, the tournament’s worst-ever participants.
Rangers have wound up without a single point and only two goals in a disastrous campaign that saw them ship 22 against an admittedly solid Champions League group of Ajax, Liverpool and Napoli.
But whilst many other sides might’ve had a more favourable draw – bottom of their group Celtic the clear and obvious example – Rangers failed to provide anywhere near the application expected from the stands.
Yes, the Champions League is the highest level of club football and its participants are unforgiving, but such was the mauling at this level it’s hard to convince Rangers supporters it’ll be the learning curve the management insist it is.
If anything, there’s a genuine fear the emotional scarring from such a woeful campaign might creep into the back of our minds if we dare make the tournament again.
But that visible lack of fitness and effort – with everyone from the squad, to the management to the board getting it in the neck – has clearly frustrated supporters.
Rangers fans dug deep for Champions League disappointment
The rise in the cost of living in the UK has been well-publicised and Rangers asked their supporters to dig deep for a three-match home package which ranged from between £150 to £180 [Rangers].
For arguments sake, 50,000 tickets at an average of £165 means Rangers earned approximately £8.25m before tax or other stadium expenses from the club’s fans.
As a reward, Rangers fans were left disappointed in the transfer market and watched their beloved club get thrashed with minimal resistance.
It is little wonder fans are so angry right now, with the damage of this doomed campaign extending itself into the minds, hearts and wallets of the Ibrox faithful.
Meanwhile, watch this emotional clip of Calvin Bassey applauding the Ibrox support.