RANGERS can achieve on-field success in Scotland for a fraction of their current wage bill - and record a profit at the same time.

 

That was the message today to the Ibrox directors who are desperately trying to achieve financial stability after years of mismanagement.

The Glasgow giants are still operating at a significant loss despite a change of regime and had to secure a £1.5million interest-free loan for working capital last month.

But no fewer than 11 first-team players are out of contract at the end of the season - including big earners like Ian Black and Lee McCulloch.

Major shareholder Dave King and his associates, who seized power at an EGM at the start of March, are hoping to slash costs considerably in the summer.

And today former PFA Scotland Manager of the Year Derek Adams told Gers powerbrokers they can do that and still challenge for silverware.

Adams revealed when he won the First Division title with Ross County and got the Highland club promoted to the top flight

in 2012-when his highest-paid player was on just £650 a week. And the former Motherwell midfielder then helped the tiny Dingwall club finish in fifth place in the SPL and make a £350,000 profit.

He said: "We worked with a very tight budget at Ross County. Whatever came in went out.

"We finished fifth and made a profit of £350,000 in our first season in the SPL operating that way.

"That is something we are proud of because we didn't spend money we didn't have.

"At times you have to look at the structure and we built a structure there that was sustainable.

"I didn't have any money to spend, I didn't have a transfer budget and I had relatively low wages. The first season we just spent a wee bit of money wage wise was this year.

"But we didn't spend much money. When we got to the Scottish Cup final the highest-paid player was on £650 a week.

"When we won the First Division that was still the highest wage, so that shows you the type of constraints we were under. But it also shows what can be achieved."

Speaking at a Level5PR media conference, Adams added: "Clubs like Rangers are Hearts are obviously working under different circumstances. They are clubs with a vast fanbase and more money to spend.

"But Rangers have maybe spent more money than they have coming in and that's something you don't want to do.

"You want to have a sustainable football club where you only spend money that you have.That's what any profitable business does.

"But we showed it can be done in Scottish football and success can still be achieved.

"It's about trying to help the football club. It's the old adage of look after your football club as you would your own home."

Meanwhile, Rangers last night confirmed SportTimes story that they plan to let season-ticket holders in for free for the crunch Championship play-off games.

The move is widely seen as an attempt to flout SPFL rules by reducing the amount of cash Rangers will have to hand over in gate receipts. But Rangers have insisted the move is payback from the club to season-ticket holders for their loyalty during another traumatic season.

The statement said: "The club believes supporters who bought tickets for the entire season should not be asked to pay more.

"It is fundamentally wrong to ask supporters to pay for season tickets and then, at the end of the campaign, expect them to pay again to watch what will now be the most important matches of that same season.

"The club wishes to express its gratitude to all of those who bought tickets and also point out that a sensible pricing policy for play-off tickets, other than season tickets, will be announced soon so that as many Rangers fans as possible can be at Ibrox to help drive their team towards the Premiership.

"We have gone through the correct channels and it should also be made clear that Rangers will comply fully with Rule C26 and pay a levy of 50 per cent of the other ticket prices.

"Rangers recognises fully the SPFL's desire to help their member clubs, but as well as having a responsibility to the game in general, Rangers has to be mindful of their own fans at all times.

"Even so, it should be noted that Rangers is not the first club to allow season ticket holders into the play-offs free of additional charge.

"The SPFL Board gave Hibernian permission to allow their season ticket holders free entry into their play-off match last season, therefore setting a precedent."

The move has been welcomed by Rangers supporters' groups. The SPFL have so far refused to comment.