Rangers know that they’re up against it when it comes to the millions on offer in the English Premier League.
The Ibrox side might be one of British football’s biggest clubs but with the TV billions streaming in south of the border the financial disparity between north and south is increasingly stark.
It’s not just up in Scotland that we struggle to compete either.
In a topsy-turvy footballing world where Bournemouth can outbid Barcelona, European football’s scales have never been so tilted towards the powerbrokers down south.
And it’s why no-one should be surprised that one reported Rangers summer target is set to opt for a Premier League relegation battle over a title tilt at Ibrox.
Johnson lines up Premier League switch
Ben Johnson is a name which has been routinely mentioned alongside Rangers in recent months.
Out of contract at West Ham and looking for assurances over playing time, the 24-year-old was reportedly a key Rangers target this summer.
With major doubts surrounding the future of James Tavernier, the Premier League defender would theoretically help fill the void left by the Ibrox skipper’s departure.
But it’s well known Rangers faced stiff competition to sign the right-back from clubs in the Premier League and West Ham themselves.
Sky Sports are now reporting that Rangers have lost that fight with Ben Johnson in ‘advanced talks’ to move to newly promoted Ipswich Town.
Kevin McKenna’s team impressed in the English Championship last season but it will be a tall order to remain in the Premier League.
In a move which from our point of view smacks of a lack of genuine ambition, it now appears Johnson is Tractor Boys bound.
No time to wallow in Rangers transfer blow
Amid reports that Johnson wanted £60k per week, Rangers never felt like a truly realistic destination.
Whilst there were other outlets claiming that the right-back’s next decision would not be financially motivated, Rangers quite simply cannot compete with the pay packets on offer down south.
More than that, the Scottish Premiership is miles behind the Premier League and the lure of potential silverware at Ibrox often isn’t strong enough to pip the English top flight.
With Rangers said to have held a ‘concrete interest’ in Ben Johnson this situation may well come as a blow to Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement.
But with no time to waste as Rangers look to rebuild ahead of next season, it’s very much on to the next one.
The club have been linked to a number of players in recent weeks with Rangers expected to invest in order to bolster the club’s ailing squad.
