Buoyant Rangers have landed a guaranteed £4million cheque after securing their place in the Champions League playoff round against PSV Eindhoven.
Gio Van Bronckhorst 's side will net the bumper payment after seeing off Union Saint-Gilloise with a 3-0 comeback triumph to leave the Belgians reeling. You can also add at least £1.5m onto that fixed fee when it comes to ticket income ahead of the Dutch side arriving at Ibrox last week.
Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson outlined why the rousing run to Seville was more lucrative than a tilt at the Champions League last season. But the Europa League finalists are all in this time on landing their own £40m ticket and a seat at European football's most lucrative table.
They will go into the tie with Eindhoven with more cash in their pocket as they aim to take down the side who outlasted Monaco in a thrilling 3-2 win on Wednesday. Another bonus for Rangers is two extra fixtures as defeat to USG would have led to Van Bronckhorst's side entering cold storage until the Europa League group stage gets underway on September 8.
But now Rangers hope they are 180 minutes away from ending a 12-year wait to reach the Champions League and join Celtic in the draw on August 25. And it's set to be an emotional reunion for Gio van Bronckhorst and his former international team-mate Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
The former Manchester United striker knows all about Ibrox and scored a consolation goal for PSV when they were thumped 4-1 by Dick Advocaat's side over 20 years ago. The first leg is on Tuesday, August 16 and the return leg will be in Eindhoven on Wednesday, August 25.
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