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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Mark Warburton admits jealousy over Michael Beale's Rangers budget

Michael Beale has spent the guts of £15million as he rebuilds his Rangers squad this summer.

Not every manager has had such fortune at Ibrox, though.

Mark Warburton admits he's a tad jealous of the money made available to Beale, as he looks to win the title back from Celtic this season.

The Englishman was in charge of the club when they earned promotion from the Championship back to the top flight to complete their journey back from the old Third Division.

His style of play was admired with his ridged 4-3-3 formation, and he defeated Celtic in a Scottish Cup final too.

Such results led to the belief that Rangers could mount a challenge for the league, even if it was their first season back. 

Of course, that couldn't have panned out to be further from the truth, as Warburton ultimately lost his job and the club finished third behind Celtic and Aberdeen. 

He revealed that Scott Brown's salary was worth more than his entire Gers midfield.

Warburton insists things were different back then, but he's delighted his old club is now in a position to seriously take on Celtic for the major honours in Scotland.

He told the Scottish Sun: “I don’t want this in any way being construed as bitter and twisted. It’s not me feeling that way, it really isn’t.

"But, of course, it would’ve been nice to have had the same budget as Michael when I was faced with challenging Brendan’s Celtic. I wouldn’t have been going for free transfers and modestly-priced players.

"The circumstances were far different in 2016. We were nowhere near it in terms of a title. It was too soon. I walked out for the first game at Ibrox and there it was — ‘Going for 55’. My heart sank.

“Everyone looked at the signing of Joey Barton and presumed the budget was there. But, let me tell you, I had players on £5,000 a week, £4,000 a week, £3,000 a week, £2,500 a week. Our midfield was still a fraction of Scott Brown’s salary.

“It was a very uneven playing field then, although I still had Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace who, at their best, would fit into any squad. But it was the spread of the quality across the squad compared with Celtic.

“Now, it’s a different ball game. Rangers have experience and quality all over. They have depth in every position and will be able to deal with the added challenge of European football and injuries.

"I’m delighted Rangers are better placed to have a go at it. It’s in much better shape and Ibrox is packed out every other week.

“The absolute truth is, I’m just delighted they’re being given a chance. Whether it was Steven Gerrard, and now it’s Michael, I want Rangers to be successful."

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