The Daily Record has trashed Malmo ahead of Thursday’s Europa League match based on their squad being built for half of the cost of Phil Clement’s side.
Probably referring to Transfermarkt the Record has priced the Swedes at a combined total of £11m while Thursday’s opponents cost £21.6. That figure excludes Danilo and Oscar Cortes, the Brazilian striker is crocked while the fee for Cortes won’t be paid until next summer.
Writing off Malmo is a very dangerous business, the Swedish side have inflicted two of the worst defeats ever on the history of both Ibrox clubs.
In 2011 Ally McCoist’s side lost a Champions League qualifier to the Swedes, with none months the club had gone into administration and liquidation, since those matches Celtic have won 12 of the 13 available SPFL titles.
Three years ago, in their first ever Champions League qualifier Steven Gerrard led the Tribute Act against Malmo knowing that reaching the group stage would wipe out much of their financial troubles.
Trailing 2-0 in Sweden a late goal from Steven Davis made the first leg score respectable, Alfredo Morelos opened the scoring in the return leg which looked like becoming a formality when Malmo were reduced to 10 men before half-time.
Antonio Colak thought otherwise, two second half goals brought misery to Ibrox with Mister Gerrard in charge of Aston Villa three months later.
In trademark fashion for writing off opponents The Record claims:
The Europa League might be the Champions League’s poor relation but some of Rangers’ opponents in their section of UEFA’s second tier competition wouldn’t look out of place in the premier tournament.
And the likes heavyweights Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Lyon boast budgets that would dwarf the Light Blues. However, when it comes to their league phase opener, there is no doubt Rangers have a squad worth more.
In fact, Swedish side Malmo – who are romping their domestic league – have spent HALF of the total of Rangers’ squad – and that’s excluding the £4million the Ibrox side won’t have to pay for Oscar Cortes until next summer.
The biggest fee the Allsvenskan side paid is the reported £1.6million for Celtic flop Sead Haksabanovic but it’s mainly modest outlays, free transfers and academy graduates.
That is exactly the sort of squad balance that id required at Ibrox with losses in the region of £20m expected for last season.
Shelling out £14m on Danilo, Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers is the sort of madness that Malmo wouldn’t go near, with accompanying wages of around £100,000 a week.
Lammers was ditched to Twente during the close season but Danilo has four years left on his contract with Dessers tied up until 2027.
A week after playing Malmo Lyon visit Ibrox which should wipe away the feel good factor from wins over Dundee United and Dundee by Phil Clement’s exciting young side.
NOTE: Haksabanovic in one season in Scottish football collected as many winners medals as James Tavernier in nine seasons of failure.
Just a hun rag
Which is now running a campaign to get their wee hun pal ( who’s team are sitting 2nd Bottom and no wins in their last 5 games ) the Hearts job