There is a feeling that Rangers are at the start of a new era with the 49ers enterprises set to take control of the club.
Dave King has confirmed that the 49ers are 90% there in terms of completing a deal with their executive team helping to find a new Rangers manager.
They have shown already at Leeds Utd and their plans to expand Elland Road that they aren’t messing about and that football is going to be a major part of their organisation.
There won’t be a blank cheque this summer with financial fair play rules blocking wealthy owners from ploughing money into clubs – making it harder than ever to compete with those who already have deep pockets.
Rangers’ financial woes are well-reported and an extract from the Fan Advisory Board minutes doesn’t make for happy reading.
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Rangers facing UEFA transfer fund restrictions
The hopes of the Rangers support with the 49ers securing a controlling interest would be that investments can be made on facilities and infrastructure without an impact on the transfer budget.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t appear to be the case:
“It was noted that UEFA’s Financial Sustainability Regulations now apply to all forms of club expenditure, including traditionally exempt areas such as stadium developments, academies, and women’s football.
“This means the club must live within its means and can no longer rely on unrestricted spending in areas previously classed as “good investment”.
Without being at the meeting, this reads like Rangers are now even more hamstrung when it comes to the budget that is available for new players.
To close the gap on Celtic, Rangers will need to expand Ibrox, but the allowable expenditure to comply with UEFA’s FSR means that this is almost certainly out of the picture, unless the 49ers can be creative within the rules.
How can Rangers close the revenue gap without expanding Ibrox?
There has barely been enough money to sign players in recent seasons, how could the club afford to upgrade Ibrox too?
The obvious, and only answer, is to increase revenue.
Improved sponsorship and commercial deals, improved player sales and, as has been mentioned in the past, stadium and training centre naming rights.
The good thing is, the expertise that the 49ers have access to far outweighs the previous and outgoing board.
If anyone can find a way, it is a multi-billion pound corporation.
