Dave King Fan Response #1

[ian1964 10,724]

LAST WEEK Rangers Chairman Dave King invited supporters to send in questions and below you can read the first part in series as he addresses the topics raised by fans

Transfer Policy and Ambitions

 

Unsurprisingly, a topic that contributed the largest amount of questions was the Club’s ongoing transfer policy and ambitions.

 

Given the pertinent relevance of transfers at this time of the year I have decided to commence my responses by reviewing all of the questions that touch on our general approach to recruiting players through transfer. Hopefully, my comments cover all of the questions that have been submitted with the exception of individual player targets that I cannot publicly comment on.

 

The first point I wish to make is that the present transfer policy will be consistent for the foreseeable future. Our transfer activity must support the need of the Rangers first-team squad to be capable of competing to win our domestic competitions every season and, in doing so, ensure participation in Europe. While it is unrealistic in the present “moneyed” world of European football to expect any club from the smaller countries to win either of the two major European trophies it is nevertheless important that we give a good account of ourselves when in Europe and not submit meekly at the first hurdle. It will therefore be necessary to acquire players with European experience in advance of our return to European competition.

 

It is also essential that our transfer activities are conducted in a financially responsible manner. Long gone are the days when Rangers was able to attract top players from England and Europe (Terry Butcher, Richard Gough, Mark Hateley, Ray Wilkins, Graeme Souness, Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup etc.) by paying more than they were earning.

 

The English Premier League now has more media value than the next three major leagues combined. That has resulted in clubs, that are much smaller than Rangers in pure footballing terms (and history,) having substantially greater transfer funds to invest in players – but only while they are participating in the EPL or the Championship. While it is frustrating to find Rangers being out bid for targeted players by smaller English clubs (with greater short term access to cash,) it would be financially reckless to compete with them and not recognise the current market reality. This reality will only change if Rangers is able to bridge the income gap by competing outside of Scottish football – which will inevitably happen. In the short term, European participation is partial compensation towards bridging this gap.

 

Another observation I would like to make on our transfer policy options stems from the changes that have been irreversibly introduced by the media exposure that football has achieved on a global basis. When I was a kid it was the ambition of my schoolmates to play for Rangers one day – and play only for Rangers. It is now the case that most Rangers supporting youngsters see playing for the Club as a strong ambition but not their final ambition. Increasingly, playing for Rangers is seen as the realisation of stage one of a personal dream before moving on to one of the Big 5 leagues. It is a pity – but again is a reality that we must recognise as non-Scottish clubs continue to recruit the best young talent irrespective of their nationality.

 

I have sketched some of my thoughts above as they inform the Club’s transfer policy as adopted by the present Board. Given that we cannot compete with the transfer and wages budgets of our Southern neighbours it is vital that we find ways to attract the best young Scottish talent that can meet our domestic and European ambitions but can also have a good transfer value, if the opportunity presents itself for a move to a better paying league. In that way Rangers will get value while the player plays for the Club and the secondary value of a transfer fee that can be recycled back into improving the player squad. As far as possible the young Scottish players should come through the Rangers Youth System but we must also be alert to acquiring Scottish players from other clubs when the right player and opportunity presents itself.

 

In addition to blooding and fielding young players it is essential to have an experienced component within the team. That will ideally be a combination of players who have graduated through the Club and others who will be secured from other Clubs within the UK and overseas. When acquiring players from other clubs we recognise the need to pay our players a level of wages that are appropriate to our expectations of them.

 

We also recognise the important role that transfer fees play in securing targeted players however will do our best to keep this cost down by proper pre-planning of our targeted needs thereby avoiding last minute signings and the consequent premium cost that this always introduces. Frank McParland was recruited with this specific object in mind and has already been working for many months to ensure that the Manager’s current player recruitment preferences are being met on a properly planned basis.

 

The squad that the Manager put together for last season had to be done at short notice due to the circumstances at the time. That is not the situation at present as we look to significantly strengthen the squad to compete in the Premiership. The Manager has had ample time to plan his recruitment strategy. Last season Mark deliberately chose a relatively lean squad that was deemed sufficient to win the Championship. The limited options became evident towards the end of the season when player availability was restricted due to yellow cards, injuries and the non-availability of new signings that were cup tied. This season will see a greater emphasis on a larger, more experienced squad while still giving room for the younger players to develop. The squad will however be appropriately larger without being “bloated”. Having players in the squad who have no realistic chance of playing for the first team is not only a waste of money – it is demoralising. All first-team squad players should believe that they have a realistic chance of catching some game time.

 

Ultimately, the player selection comes down to the group of players that Mark and his team show interest in and executive management then attempts to negotiate with the individual players, and their clubs if necessary. Mark has had a deliberate strategy in the last few signings to secure a number of senior players to add balance to what was a very young squad but the overall squad blend will remain a mixture of youth and experience with a continued strong focus on youth.

 

http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/dave-king-fan-response-1/

[ian1964 10,724]

Decent statement I'd say.

[forlanssister 3,114]

Decent statement I'd say.

 

Mostly just common sense, not a bad thing at all.

[trublusince1982 243]

Would it not be a better idea to bring in scouts that know the European market better? Why shop pretty much only in England if we can't afford to compete with English lower stature clubs? Makes no sense shopping were you can only afford what nobody else wants. English teams have no bearing on how much we can spend. As Barton said England is an outlier nobody can compete with them. Just an easy excuse to justify no small investment. Don't win the league or heaven forbid don't compete then they can forget their plans, it will be back to square one.

 

Players from other Scottish clubs in the main are not good enough we have wasted enough money on them. Our biggest outlay on MOH is arguably our biggest waste.

 

Our transfer policy for the foreseeable future is spending next to zero? then we better get used to never qualifying for the champions league.

[JFK-1 1,693]

This reality will only change if Rangers is able to bridge the income gap by competing outside of Scottish football – which will inevitably happen.

 

Interesting to see that he appears to be stating we will "inevitably" be getting out of Scottish football.

[MacK1950 2,378]

Let's get the next season out of the way and qualify for a European tournament and then cast a wider net.

[ian1964 10,724]

Let's get the next season out of the way and qualify for a European tournament and then cast a wider net.

 

Building requires solid foundations!

[craig 5,199]

Interesting to see that he appears to be stating we will "inevitably" be getting out of Scottish football.

 

Could be talking about European football as opposed to league duties.

[JFK-1 1,693]

Could be talking about European football as opposed to league duties.

 

I thought the bit he followed with after talking about getting out of Scottish football implied he had something other than just European football in mind.

 

In the short term, European participation is partial compensation towards bridging this gap.

 

So what's the long term?

Edited June 20, 2016 by JFK-1

[pete 2,499]

I thought the bit he followed with after talking about getting out of Scottish football implied he had something other than just European football in mind.

 

 

 

 

So what's the long term?

 

I think it is common knowledge that the UEFA want a super league. I would imagine that will happen within 10 years. I would expect that it will probably include more divisions and Rangers and Celtic will be in the mix for a second or third division.