NafisaRangers are beginning to discover that missing out on European football can have an unexpected upside, with Derek McInnes watching his side build momentum while their domestic rivals juggle a demanding schedule.
After a disastrous start that saw Rangers fail to qualify for either the Europa League or the Conference League, the mood around Ibrox has changed considerably. Consecutive defeats to Jagiellonia and Jablonec were a major setback, but the response since then has given supporters genuine reasons for optimism.
Seven consecutive victories in all competitions have helped Rangers close the gap on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, leaving them just two points behind their rivals. They have also booked their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals after eliminating Celtic, putting themselves in a strong position to compete for silverware.
The absence of midweek European fixtures appears to be helping the squad physically, with players benefiting from additional recovery time and fewer opportunities for injuries to disrupt their progress.
But there is another side to that apparent advantage, and a former Celtic player has delivered a reminder that Rangers could still pay a significant price for their failure to qualify for Europe.
Jim Duffy believes the financial consequences could become increasingly important as the season progresses, with the possibility of player sales emerging as one way to address the shortfall.
How Europe could hit Ibrox hard again
Rangers have not been able to escape the disappointment of their European qualifying campaign, with the defeats to Jagiellonia and Jablonec leaving them without continental football for the season.
While their domestic form has improved dramatically since then, the financial consequences of missing out remain a concern.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard ahead of Thursday’s European fixtures, Duffy acknowledged that Rangers could benefit on the pitch from having fewer games to manage. However, he warned that the wider implications of missing Europe should not be overlooked.
“The only thing about the European thing,” he said.
“It can impact them further down the line, not being in Europe, it can benefit domestically.
“But, financially and reputation-wise, you want to be in Europe.
“I know it’s not the same riches as the Champions League, of course, but it is still several million that you’re missing out on.
“That’s something that Rangers will have to address in other areas, by maybe selling one of those players.”
Duffy’s comments highlight the dilemma facing Rangers. The reduced schedule may be helping McInnes keep his players fresher, but the club have also missed out on the revenue and exposure that European competition can provide.
That money can be important when it comes to strengthening the squad, meeting operating costs and competing with rivals who continue to generate income from continental football.
Rangers will therefore need to balance their encouraging performances on the pitch with the financial demands of running a club with significant expectations.
However, Duffy’s suggestion that player sales could become necessary does not mean Rangers have decided to sell anyone. Much will depend on the club’s financial position, transfer opportunities and ambitions for the squad.
Who could Rangers be forced to sell?
Duffy identified Olwethu Makhanya and Emmanuel Fernandez as two players who could attract significant interest and potentially become valuable assets in the transfer market.
Makhanya has made an impressive impact since arriving in Glasgow from Philadelphia Union for a reported fee of around £3 million. Despite having been at the club for only a relatively short period, he has established himself as a regular starter and earned recognition for his performances.
His progress has also extended to international football, with the South African defender becoming a regular for his national side during the extended international break.
Winning the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month award for September has provided further evidence of how quickly his reputation has grown.
Makhanya’s development has reportedly attracted attention from Premier League clubs, with a potential valuation of £30 million being discussed. Such a figure would represent a remarkable increase on the reported fee Rangers paid to bring him to Ibrox.
A transfer at that level could generate a substantial profit and help offset some of the financial consequences of missing out on European competition.
Fernandez is another player Duffy believes could become an attractive proposition in the transfer market. His performances have helped raise his profile, and his inclusion alongside Makhanya illustrates the potential value Rangers could have within their squad.
However, there is an important distinction between identifying players who might attract offers and suggesting that the club will be forced to accept them.
Rangers’ ownership, including Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers-linked investment group, has ambitions that extend beyond simply balancing the books through player sales. Their plans for the club will be a significant factor in deciding whether lucrative offers are entertained or rejected.
Selling a player for a substantial fee could provide financial flexibility, but it could also weaken a squad that is finally building consistency under McInnes. Replacing a key performer would bring its own costs and risks, particularly if Rangers are serious about challenging Celtic for the title.
Rangers must balance progress with financial reality
The encouraging run of seven consecutive wins has given Rangers a platform from which to challenge domestically, and their League Cup progress has added further momentum.
For supporters, the immediate priority will be maintaining that form and turning the improved performances into trophies. The fact that the team has fewer fixtures to manage may continue to help, particularly if it allows McInnes to keep his strongest players available.
But Duffy’s warning serves as a reminder that success on the pitch does not automatically erase the consequences of missing out on Europe.
Rangers may eventually need to consider the transfer market as part of their response, especially if major offers arrive for emerging talents such as Makhanya or Fernandez. Any decision, however, would have to account for the club’s sporting ambitions as well as its finances.
For now, there is no confirmation that either player is set to leave Ibrox. The suggestion is that their growing value could make them potential candidates for future sales, not that a departure is inevitable.
Rangers have responded impressively to their European disappointment, but the longer-term challenge will be ensuring that their domestic revival is supported by a sustainable financial strategy.
The club may be enjoying the benefits of a lighter fixture schedule today. Whether those benefits outweigh the cost of missing European football will become clearer as the season unfolds.
Nafisa
