RANGERS are set to smash their record transfer fee for the second time in six months with Calvin Bassey’s looming £19million-plus exit to Ajax.
And Light Blues fans reckon it’s only the start of a business model which will serve to take the Ibrox club right back to the top.
Bassey’s move to Amsterdam comes on the back of Nathan Patterson’s switch to Everton that could rise as high as £16m and Joe Aribo’s transfer to Southampton earlier this month for a fee that could hit £10m
Jamie McLaren, Maryhill, said: “I’ll be gutted to see big Bassey go but at that price its obviously a great move for the big fella and a lovely bit of business for us after paying peanuts for him, thank you Brendan Rodgers. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him going in a season or two for £40-50m.
“And if we can get them some game time for Alex Lowry, Charlie McCann, Adam Devine, Zak Lovelace and Rabbi Matondo, they could be the next ones to go for megabucks.”
John Bruce emailed: “With add-ons, Rangers have brought in £22m from the sales of Patterson and Aribo. This week they will get more than £20m plus add-ons for Bassey.
“They also pocketed around £6m for Steven Gerrard and his staff. Added to that is the £30m or so from the Europa League run. Rangers also have a real chance of banking a further £40m if they reach the Champions League group stages. To have come from the bottom division to Premiership champions, then reach a European final and all in less than 10 years, is an incredible achievement.”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “It’s a sign of the times that Rangers have quickly changed their approach and now have a business model to secure the future of the club. It’s little wonder that Bassey has moved on as not enough plaudits were generated from last year’s incredible European run.”
The Ibrox club are set to splash some of their summer riches on Ben Davies from Liverpool which would take their signing spree to seven this window.
But Celtic fan Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “So it’s that time of the season again when Rangers fans tell how they’re going to dominate Scottish football with all their great signings. We’ve been hearing this for over a decade now and in that time they have won one Scottish Cup and one league title. Trophies obviously don’t matter to their fans as long as they believe they are the best that’s all that matters but I’ll stick to a full trophy cabinet.”
Glen Mitchell emailed: “Rangers fans are out again howling at the moon over the signing of journeymen and makeweights. The truth is that in 10 years of existence, they have won two trophies worth talking about and one of those was because of the Covid situation and the fact that Celtic were hamstrung at every opportunity.”
Meanwhile Celtic fan Gordon Ashley, Ayr, was gushing over his side’s 2-2 draw with Blackburn. He said: “That was the best football I’ve seen from the champions for years at the weekend and we are a new centre-half away from being a cracking team.”
Last word to Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, who reckons England deserve more praise for their performances in the women’s Euros. He said: “The coverage of the Lionesses has been really low-key in Scotland despite all the feminist leanings in the media. England’s women have now thrashed Norway and Northern Ireland, they must be tournament favourites.”