Ibrox view: Rangers could be 'Attractive' takeover target after 'Very Lucrative' finance expert update

Rangers may become an “attractive” prospect to investors based on a new update from a finance expert.

Kieran Maguire of the University of Liverpool has highlighted how selling players to England in the wake of the UK’s exit from the European Union, and qualification for the group stage of European competition can prove “lucrative by Scottish standards”.

The Light Blues have been subject of a recent dispute between former chairman, and current biggest shareholder, Dave King and the current board.

The South Africa-based businessman wants to return to Ibrox as chair for two years to take advantage of investment opportunities from the likes of Saudi Arabia and the USA [Rangers Review, 15 September].

He has been backed as the right choice for the club by the likes of Ibrox News pundit Derek Ferguson but faces plenty of opposition elsewhere [Tom English, 20 September].

Dave King wants Ibrox return as Rangers chairman

The stakes are particularly high for Rangers at the moment as the gap between the Gers and Celtic appears obvious, with Philippe Clement’s side beaten 3-0 in the Old Firm derby on 1 September and already five points off their rivals in the table, while rumours of possible takeover interest from Asia [PLZ Soccer, 23 September] would likely garner significant support given how the current regime has let standards slide.

But Maguire’s assessment of Scottish clubs suggests the league is ripe for investment, at a time when Brighton’s Tony Bloom has been in talks to put money into Hearts [Sky Sports, 18 September].

Maguire says that “there is now a view that the Scottish market is coming more into play” in terms of recruitment from south of the border thanks to difficulties in signing youngsters from abroad due to post-Brexit rules.

And while “Scottish clubs don’t tend to lose lots of money but they don’t tend to make lots of money either”, unless they can qualify for Europe which can prove to be “very lucrative” compared to the “broader finances” of some clubs.

Maguire said on the Price of Football Podcast on 15 October (34m): “Therefore, I would say that any of the Premiership clubs who are expected, or have the capacity, to be top six in the SPFL therefore become attractive to an investor.”

His forecast may be most accurate for clubs outside of the Old Firm but as Clement and Nils Koppen go about reducing costs of the wage bill at Ibrox, while looking to sign players with future profit in mind, some of the same principles may apply.

Philippe Clement looking to close gap on Celtic

Much is made of the financial gulf between top European opposition and the two Glasgow rivals, and in turn between Rangers, Celtic and the rest of the Scottish Premiership.

Playing trading and Champions League qualification is often the focus of the Light Blues’ plan to close the gap on the Hoops on its own, but better use of both methods could be even more beneficial as a route to attracting investment or even a full takeover.

As things stand, Chris Jack reported for Rangers Review on 12 October that the club didn’t appear to be at the point of a takeover, and investment on a similar basis to that of King, Douglas Park and John Bennett was more likely.

Clement has made clear he wants to avoid losing so many players on free transfers as he looks to make the club more profitable, while younger players have been targeted in the transfer market as reducing wages has also seemingly been a focus.

Rangers may need to forget about trying to match Celtic’s finances given the head start Brendan Rodgers’ side have taken full advantage of lately, but based on Maguire’s assessment of Scottish football the Light Blues’ current aims could have a greater secondary impact in attracting new investment than they do in and of themselves.

The more of a sustainable model the club can follow the better for their fortunes on the whole, but the more profitable they prove themselves to be the more likely they are to land the sort of outside financial help that looks like being the boost they ultimately need.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have made a “massive mistake” with a player who is still in the squad.

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