Friendlies
Once again I have taken advantage of Ibrox Stadium’s large capacity, 50,987, to play several pre-season friendlies. This has brought £755,000 into the club, an increase of £20,000 from last season.
Friendly
Rangers (4-0) Cambuslang Rangers
Att: 15,602
Ibrox Stadium
Friendly
Rangers (2-3) Lyon
Att: 35,272
Ibrox Stadium
Friendly
Rangers (5-2) Blantyre Vic
Att: 15,601
Ibrox Stadium
Friendly
Rangers (0-3) Chelsea
Att: 42,727
Ibrox Stadium
Friendly
Rangers (5-1) Fort William
Att: 15,607
Ibrox Stadium
Unfortunately, I was unable to arrange the big friendlies at the start of the fixture list, so I had to arrange them in between easier friendlies. I am pleased to mention that attendances are up this season compared to last season, although only by 600 people for the the lower profiled friendlies.
Affiliations
The club is pleased to announce that they have affiliated with Scottish 3rd Division side, Berwick Rangers. The link costs Rangers just £21,590 per season and enables us to send youth players out on loan, giving them the opportunity to gain first team experience.
Staff Changes
The club has brought in two members of staff during pre-season. Former Scottish international, Alan Rough, has joined the club as the Under 19s Goalkeeping Coach. The club has also signed the Scottish Under-19 Manager, Ricky Sbragia, as an Under 19s Coach. Hopefully this will mean more Rangers players will now be noticed at Under-19 level.
The two new members of staff have joined on a combined salary of £610 per week, so £31,720 per year. A relatively small amount, especially if they help develop future stars, and players who can be sold off for profit.
Transfers
The club has again struggled in the transfer market. Despite being given an transfer budget of £1,200,000, and a wage budget of £113,000 (the club is spending £76,000), the club has struggled to attract players of a high enough calibre. This is partly because the club still has transfer embargo, so we are only able to sign players under-17. Bearing this in mind, the club has managed to sign four young players on free transfers, each with the potential to, at the very least, be good SPL players.
With Barrie McKay being redeployed as a winger last season, and playing well in that position, it was important to sign a replacement striker. The club found a young 16 year old, Robert Adam, to fill this void. He cost the club £200,000, but has the potential to be a Scottish international in the future.
The club has once again failed to sign my primary target, Ryan Gauld, this time he was willing to negotiate but being completely unreasonable, demanding over £2,000 a week and add ons. I shall try again in January, although I am running out of patience with the lad.
This club also off loaded high earners Bocanegra and Goian for £300,000. Although not a great deal, the club were able to save £1,456,000 in their wages. The club also sold Kyle McAusland for £28,000 and 50% of any future profits if sold. It was shame having to sell McAusland, but he was not going to get enough games as I was unable to get rid of Anestis Argyriou, even on a free. Although Argyriou is a good player, I find it hard to justify £4,000 a week on a backup player.