According to Simon Jordan, Rangers supporters who are condemning Philippe Clement should understand that they are in a different financial stratosphere than Celtic or Tottenham.
Speaking with Bill Leckie on talkSPORT (10 December, 12:06 pm), Jordan concurred with the reporter’s denial of fan criticism of Clement for drawing attention to the teams’ financial differences.
With a turnover that is about four times their own, Clement’s team will play Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday and Celtic in the Scottish League Cup Final three days later.
According to Leckie, Rangers are in a totally different league than Tottenham or Celtic, as seen by their recent results of an £88.3 million turnover and a £17 million deficit.
“It’s not Philippe Clement’s problem that it doesn’t go down well or that Rangers supporters don’t want to hear it.”
“It’s a statement of fact, certainly with Tottenham,” Jordan continued. Rangers’ turnover is what, £80 million? Tottenham’s is £350 million.
Of course, making that kind of observation is analogous. Are you looking for someone to give you a brave-heart battle cry?
Rangers will have to fight Tottenham to level the playing field.
Gers supporters are fully aware of how the team is handled in comparison to Tottenham or Celtic, especially after last week’s annual general meeting, which highlighted just how poorly the club is losing money hand over fist.
Even though it wasn’t the ideal PR decision for Clement to make this known in an interview, the Light Blues will still face a team with four times their turnover when they play Spurs.
With Celtic on the horizon, it is unclear how Clement would prepare his team, despite the Bears’ outstanding performance on the continent this season and their 4-1 away victory over Nice last time out.
Given that the League Cup Final offers the ideal setting for a first triumph, Clement, who has failed to win an Old Firm game in his five efforts as manager of the Gers, could be forgiven for making it a top priority.
Although it’s not pleasant to admit, Celtic’s improved financial standing as a result of their Champions League status would make a Rangers League Cup victory this Sunday even more sweet.
