Rangers have earned a cash reward from UEFA in every match of their Europa League campaign so far this season, but they won’t bank a payment on Thursday night even if they win their Round of 32 first-leg clash against Royal Antwerp.
That’s because the governing body’s reward system changes for the knockout stages of their competitions.
Steven Gerrard’s side made it through three rounds of qualifying to reach this season’s Europa League group stages, defeating Lincoln Red Imps, Willem II and Galatasaray in one-leg ties.
Each time the Gers progressed to the next round, they earned a payment, with the win over Gala that secured qualification by far the most lucrative of the three.
Then, during the group stages, rewards were handed out for both wins and draws. Given that the Light Blues went unbeaten, that means six more payments were earned.
When a ten-year coefficient payment and a bonus for finishing top of Group D are added to those qualifying and group stage rewards, Football-Coefficient.eu estimate that Rangers have already earned €9,144,628 (approx. £7.96m) so far this campaign.
Things are a little different in the knockout stages, though, as ties switch to two legs.
For the remainder of the competition, rewards will only be earned for progression to the next round rather than for individual results.
Therefore, if the Gers want to add to their already sizeable prize fund, they will have to defeat Antwerp on aggregate over two legs.
Last season, qualifying for the Last 16 was worth €1.1m (£954k) [UEFA] and although the payment is likely to be slightly smaller this season [The Times], a substantial reward will still be on offer.
Rangers are in a good place going into the first leg in Belgium with their domestic achievements leaving them above multiple Champions League giants at the top of a 100-club international form table, while Antwerp will barely have enough players to fill their bench, with multiple stars ruled out through suspension and injury.
