Rangers are celebrating the anniversary of their partnership with former Indian Super League side FC Bengaluru.
The Gers are celebrating a year’s link-up with the Indian club as Rangers look to make serious in-roads into new footballing markets.
The link-up was met with much excitement by the Ibrox club’s fans and the two clubs are now one year into an initial two-year partnership, which was signed when Bengaluru were the division’s champions.
But going by the Tweets of both clubs, fans can potentially look forward to “many more” years beyond that.
The partnership was set up due to the obvious marketing potential of tapping into India’s merging football market for Rangers and for the years of footballing expertise the Ibrox club can share with Bengaluru.
A “culture of knowledge sharing” was to be set up between the clubs with experiences and opportunities harnessed when and where suitable.
At the time of the announcement Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson spoke of his excitement at the link-up.
“We’re excited and proud to announce our partnership with reigning Indian Super League champions Bengaluru FC, especially at this time when football in India, a country of 1.3 billion people, is entering a period of unprecedented growth,” said Robertson [Bengaluru].
“The Club’s international strategy is a core-pillar to our growth plans and this partnership opens up Rangers to the vast football community in India and provides a great platform for us to engage with our wider fan base, and the South Asian communities at home here in Scotland.”
Rangers have also worked to strengthen their status in North America after signing a partnership deal with American USL side Orange County last season.
