Keith Wyness drops ‘£18m+’ reveal after confirmed Rangers news

Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted Rangers should make more than £18million if they reach the Europa League final this season.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested it is “absolutely crucial” the Scottish giants make as much money as possible from the competition to help boost their finances.

Rangers were beaten by Ukranian side Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

The Glasgow club have had to settle for a place in the Europa League, while their Old Firm rivals Celtic will be playing in the Champions League after securing the Scottish Premiership title last season.

But Rangers have been handed a tricky set of fixtures in the new-look league phase of the Europa League, where they will play Manchester United, Tottenham, Lyon, Olympiakos, Union Saint-Gilloise, Malmo, FCSB and Nice.

Rangers must secure qualification for Europa League knockouts
Wyness believes it is massively important Philippe Clement’s side make it through to the knockout rounds as they look to keep the pace with Celtic.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “There is money to be made in the Europa League.

“It’s nowhere near the Champions League riches, it’s about four times less than the Champions League in terms of where they are right now.

“But it’s absolutely crucial that Rangers pick up that money.

“When they made it to the final of the Europa League previously, I think they made about £18million.

“If you look at that, hopefully with a new and improved revenue stream, they should be making more than that if they get to the final.

“But they have got to advance at least into the next few stages.

“They have got to do that because Rangers need that money desperately.”