DAVE KING admits Champions League qualification would be a bonus for Rangers next season as Steven Gerrard prepares for his first crack at Europe’s premier club competition.
Gerrard has enjoyed significant success in the Europa League during his three terms at Ibrox and the progress on the park has been crucial off it as Rangers have reaped the financial rewards of their achievements on the continent.
READ MORE: Season by season as Steven Gerrard's side win title 55 and first league flag in a decade
A place in the Champions League group stages would be transformative for Rangers going forward but King won’t over-emphasise the tournament as he savours a 55th league title this term.
King said: “If you ask me at the moment, if we went into the Champions League and finished third… No matter what the most optimistic outlook on the group stages is, we will be unseeded and I think at this stage that if we could go into that and finish third and continue in the Europa League after that, I think that would be an extremely successful first campaign back in the Champions League.
🎥 REACTION: Jermain Defoe on the club's 55th league title.#Champion55 pic.twitter.com/Bof99lpFYh
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 7, 2021
“For me, personally, winning the league is getting back. The Champions League is the Champions League.
“There are things that effect how we do there. You could be in a qualifying stage and end up against a club like Ajax, for example, and you don’t make it.
READ MORE: Rangers are Going for 56 as Steven Gerrard looks to build on Ibrox title triumph
“To me, the Champions League is a bonus. I think Rangers have to be guaranteed Europa League, sometimes Champions League.
“Personally, though, winning the title is the culmination for me in saying the club is back.”
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