Ex-SPFL chief - Rangers make 'difficult' decision as senior figures quit

Rangers chiefs have stepped back from the club in order to comply with UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

That is according to ex-Aberdeen, Aston Villa, and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, as Rangers and Leeds United are both owned by 49ers Enterprises.

Vice-chairman Paraag Marathe and director Gene Schneur, both involved at Leeds, have stepped down from their roles at Ibrox.

Leeds could qualify for the Europa League if they win the FA Cup, whilst Rangers would financially benefit the most from winning the Scottish Premiership and qualifying for the Champions League, but that is currently an uphill battle for Danny Rohl’s side.

UEFA has ‘problem’ with multi-club organisations

Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes it is “pretty remote” that Rangers and Leeds both end up in the same European competition next season.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the Gers have made the right call complying with UEFA rules.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, it’s fair enough because, look, they can always step back in and this is the period of time that they may qualify for certain competitions.

“Now, I would think if you run the computer models, the chance of Rangers and Leeds being in the same European competition right now is pretty remote, but they’ve got to do the right thing, and they’ve got to decide. 

“Also, don’t forget by this time, March. A lot of decisions are taken on the footballing side, and they won’t be there until the end of the season, when the transfer window opens again. So they can come back in again in those times when they have to make some key decisions going forward.

“It’s only for the period of time if they’re in the same competition. So I think we’ve got to understand that, that it makes some sort of sense at that stage. Multi-club companies are a difficult thing, a problem for UEFA to handle. And this is really one thing that they’re trying to do.”  

Rangers backed to make Youssef Chermiti profit

Wyness told Football Insider that Rangers could sell Youssef Chermiti for three times the price that they brought him for from Everton.

Rangers paid £10million for the striker, who could make a profit for the club if he has a strong end to the season following a Glasgow derby double against Celtic.

The Gers have yet to decide whether they want the 21-year-old to remain at the club, who could have left Ibrox in the January window amid transfer interest.

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