Despite fans’ disquiet,Ibrox approach is the right way ahead

Former SPL chief executive Roger Mitchell insists Rangers have little option but to live within their means as they pursue European glory.

Light Blues fans have been bemoaning the club’s lack of spending during the recent transfer window.

The Scottish Cup holders hit the jackpot by reaching the Europa League Final in May and qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League. They also raked in almost £29 million from selling Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo and Cedric Itten.

Yet they spent less than half that on Ben Davies, Antonio Colak, Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz, and the financial outlay to get Bayern Munich’s Malik Tillman on loan.

Following the heavy defeat to Ajax in midweek, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst claimed that “hundreds of millions” needed spent to make Rangers competitive at that level.

However, former SPL chief executive Roger Mitchell – who’d given up on Financial Fair Play ever being properly enforced – insists it makes sense for the Light Blues to spend what they can afford, rather than face sanctions from UEFA.

He said: “Of course, Rangers have been slightly hampered by UEFA’s intervention, but smart recruitment and good coaching can make all the difference.

“Rangers have done remarkably well in Europe up until now, and they could come again.

“It’s good to see UEFA becoming directly involved in this matter, though.

“Previously, it was down to the SFA to check their clubs’ finances. But Celtic and Rangers are their biggest assets, so the SFA were never going to refuse them European licences.

“That’s why the sport wasn’t working. “All across Europe, you had the same domestic organisation operating as the regulator and the judiciary. But they’re also the marketers.

“So it was difficult for them to hamper Celtic or Rangers.

“I’m not surprised the SFA washed their hands of it. There was a conflict of interest, and UEFA probably realised that the local associations were trying to protect their clubs.”