‘I wouldn’t worry’…John Bennett makes Rangers transfer change of direction after funds claim

Rangers fans aren’t enjoying the best of summers. Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen are up against it as they look to bring the glory days back to Govan.

The Rangers manager already has to endure playing away from Ibrox and now he has to contend with having to sell before he can buy – a scenario highlighted by Rangers News as long ago as May.

Clement will have money to spend, but when there is around £9.2m worth of wages spent every year on players who the Rangers boss doesn’t fancy, it doesn’t take a genius to work out where the problems lie.

His acceptance that bodies have to be moved out is a frustrating one, however, it is easy to see why the gaffer might feel betrayed.

A general view outside Ibrox Stadium is seen prior to the UEFA Champions League group A match between Rangers FC and Liverpool FC at Ibrox Stadium …

Rangers chairman goes against his word in summer rebuild
At the Rangers AGM at the tail end of 2023, John Bennett spoke for the first time as the club’s chairman and was defiant when asked if the damage caused by Michael Beale being given a free hand in the transfer market was going to affect the new manager’s budget:

“But I wouldn’t worry at all about the summer spend that we’ve gone through and that impinging upon what Philippe wants to do.

“I think what’s really important is the statement the club made on Friday was not just about the very important appointment of Nils Koppen.

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“It was very deliberately couched in terms of the football board and I want all of our fans to know that it is a process.

“It’s no longer about backing ‘an individual’. It’s about backing a club process.

“That’s why you have a football board. That football board, newly formed this year, is about backing a club process.

“But rest assured that last summer’s spend will have no bearing on where we all – Philippe and everyone at this club – want to take it and need to take it.”

Rangers need to find a plan B to fund summer business
Clement has had money to spend so, let’s dispel the myth that he’s not had any budget at all.

There is £4.3m that has been spent on Mohamed Diomande and Oscar Cortes is said to have cost something similar.

Then there is £1.5m upfront on Hamza Igamane, a player expected to be allowed to settle into the squad rather than having demands immediately placed on him.

What hasn’t helped his cause though, is having to replace players with the standing of Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe on a shoestring before he can even think about upgrades.

Yes, players like Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers need to be moved on in an ideal world, but it just isn’t as simple as that.

Rangers can reduce their asking prices and pay a percentage of their wages, however, if the player wants to stay, there is nothing they can do to make them leave.

What would help, is if Clement was allowed to bring in one or two guaranteed starters to bump those who might dig their heels in down the pecking order.

The prospect of not playing soon sharpens the mind when other clubs come calling.

Bennett has only been in the hotseat for a little over a year and he is already under pressure.

If he wants to get fans back on side, despite the need to cut the squad and wage bill, he has to loosen the Ibrox purse strings.