Rival Scottish Premiership side, Aberdeen, have dropped a worrying transfer window hint which could affect Rangers.
The club released a statement on Monday afternoon containing a lengthy update from Chairman, Dave Cormack, which began: “It is hard to comprehend the extent of the unprecedented circumstances we are facing.”
Unlike with Ann Budge’s Hearts, there was no mention of sweeping wage cuts, but there were plenty of hints towards tough times ahead.
For example, Cormack noted that Aberdeen had £1.5 million in the bank, but that they would face bills of up to £5 million in the coming months whilst generating no income whatsoever. He described that scenario as ‘unsustainable’.
Given the lack of an official statement from Ibrox, it’s unsure what Rangers’ current financial situation is.
However, there was one particular hint dropped by Cormack which, if true, would have a big impact upon the Gers.
When discussing the uncertain times ahead, he said: “it is highly unlikely there will be any player sales in the summer.”
Under normal circumstances, clubs would have the majority of June, July and August to trade players, but Cormack’s comment hints at some inside knowledge that there may be no such period this time around.
In recent times, Bears have looked to transfer windows as opportunities to strengthen the squad, but amid times of financial suffering, they offer the chance to receive fees for valuable assets.
The likes of Alfredo Morelos, Glen Kamara and Borna Barisic were all linked with moves in January, and those players could conceivably command the sort of money that would balance the books after months without income from ticket sales.
Should the ability to buy and sell be taken away, though, it would rob the club of the easiest way to raise funds in a difficult time, while the likes of Ianis Hagi and Florian Kamberi would simply have to return to their parent clubs at the expiration of their loan deals.