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Former Aberdeen Chief Speaks Out
Keith Wyness, Aberdeen’s ex-CEO, has made a bold statement advising Rangers to secure early signings before their Champions League qualifying matches in August. Wyness, who has a wealth of experience in football management and consultancy, pointed out the challenges Scottish clubs face in the European competition.
Qualifying System Criticized
On the latest Inside Track podcast by Football Insider, Wyness described the qualifying system as “so unfair” for Scottish teams. With Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock, and St Mirren gearing up for crucial July and August fixtures, the pressure is mounting. Specifically, Rangers, finishing second in the Scottish Premiership, will join the Champions League at the third qualifying round, while Celtic directly enters the league phase.
Celtic’s Lucrative Advantage
Wyness has noted that Celtic’s entry into the league phase is a significant financial boon, potentially bringing in £30-40 million. This figure was previously reported by Wyness in a discussion with Football Insider on May 19th.
Rangers’ Transfer Activity
Philippe Clement, Rangers’ manager, has been proactive in the transfer market, securing left-back Jefte and finalizing deals for Oscar Cortes and Mohamed Diomande, who were on loan last year. Wyness has observed this progress and suggests that Rangers should continue to be aggressive in their recruitment strategy.
The Challenge of Early Qualifiers
Rangers will face the daunting task of entering European qualifiers potentially before a full pre-season, competing against teams that may have been active throughout the summer. Wyness recalled a notable loss to a team from Luxembourg, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of these early-stage matches.
The Gamble for Rangers
Wyness advocates for a bold approach from Rangers, encouraging them to invest in new players who can quickly adapt and strengthen the team ahead of the qualifiers. “They’ve got to gamble and get some new players in place,” Wyness stated, signaling his support for the team’s need to take risks to succeed in Europe.
