Football finance guru Kieran Maguire claims that player sales are “not essential” at Rangers this summer after the club crashed out of the Champions League.
Whilst the Price of Football podcast host admits that the club might be benefited from selling one of their key assets this summer, Maguire stresses that this will not be a requirement.
There is an increasing narrative in the press that Rangers will have to sell to balance the books this summer but speaking to the popular This Is Ibrox fan media outlet, Maguire insists this will be at the behest of the directors.
“As far as Rangers are concerned, they’ve been in a recovery mode a) to get back to the Premiership and b) to win the Premiership,” said Maguire.
“They are probably now in a position where a sale would help but is not essential, and I’d really like to stress that.
“Whilst the directors are continuing to be willing to put money into the club then everything is fine.
“But these guys, eventually they’re going to turn round and say if it’s costing us £10-£15m a season, what are we getting out of this?
“And when we originally agreed to come on board at Rangers, it was for a fixed period of time.
“If Rangers are successful and they are winning trophies then the thing is, sometimes your hand will be forced with player trading as someone will come in and offer more money in terms of wages.”
This means that Rangers will have to balance selling their top assets – such as Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Glen Kamara or Borna Barisic – with weakening the squad this season.
Champions League qualification beckons for the winner of the Scottish Premiership and – after years of investment – there’s a feeling that selling players may cut off our nose to spite our face.
Rangers are so close to securing that money and taking a tangible step to self-sufficiency and it is on those investors to decide the next steps.
These comments will also be refreshing for fans worried that the club may now have to sell at a knockdown price after missing out on the reported £30m–£40m of Champions League qualification.
However, Maguire does stress the financial significance of Europa League qualification.
“Rangers could go on and win the Europa League then we’d need reconsider everything,” said Maguire.
“But in terms of group stage, we’re probably talking a minimum of £20m, and that’s a good night out in Glasgow!”
It’s a great interview and kudos to the guys at This Is Ibrox for getting a footballing finances expert in Kieran Maguire in to provide some clarity in the aftermath of the Champions League exit.
Despite these claims, Rangers have budgeted for Europa League qualification and with a £14.4m gap to fill, a Premier League club’s long-term interest has apparently been piqued.
