Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has been talking up the value in his Ibrox squad amid valuations in the press of his team being worth £170m.
The Rangers side was valued at this amount by football market analysts 21st Club last week in a revealing interview with the Athletic given one year on from a £105m valuation given by Gerrard and Ross Wilson at last year’s AGM.
Gerrard was answering questions about the Rangers board’s backing amid the release of the latest financial accounts and also took the opportunity to thank the Ibrox hierarchy for their support.
Rangers have announced operating losses of £15.9m – an increase of £4.3m from last year – with the club relying on further investment of £8.8m to get through this season [Rangers].
Speaking to the press ahead of the crunch Europa League tie with Benfica, Gerrard lauded both the board and the squad as he talked up those “big assets” whilst highlighting the important of European football.
“The board support has been fantastic since the first day I came in really,” said Gerrard [Rangers].
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“In terms of the numbers, obviously you have to take certain things into consideration given the timing. They could have looked very much different if we did accept a bid for one of our big assets.
“I think the important thing to know is that this team is in much better shape than it was when we came through the door.
“The team is littered now with big assets. The team is worth an awful lot of money now compared to what it was.
“Europe is always important for a club like Rangers because of the history and the big European nights that have gone before for the supporters, it’s what they enjoy doing, watching their team in Europe, travelling near and far to follow their team.
“So from a football point of view there’s always a responsibility and an expectation here as the Rangers manager to continue to do well, year on year.
“If that means we make more money or we go further in competitions and that helps from a financial point of view, then great. That is always the aim.
“The board and myself are on the same page and we’re happy with where the team is at right now. But we both know there is still a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be.”
The rousing comments will come as music to the ears of the Rangers support who appreciate how much the value of the squad has risen in a short window under the stewardship of Gerrard.
Gerrard’s comments about the Rangers board too will be reassuring to Rangers fans, as will the comments of a leading financial football expert regarding the £30m end-game the club is playing.