Brechin’s big fears over Rangers sell-out clash

By Mark Bryans
Published on 25/07/2012 02:52

Brechin City’s financial structure for the upcoming season could be thrown into disarray if their Ramsden’s Cup tie with Rangers is called off, the club’s vice-chairman, Martin Smith, has warned.

Charles Green’s newco Rangers are still awaiting their Scottish Football Association licence to allow them to compete in SFA tournaments, with the start of the new season just days away.

Brechin are due to host Rangers at Glebe Park on Sunday in front of the TV cameras – the match is a sell-out – but there is uncertainty surrounding the fixture due to the hold up in the licence being granted.

Smith said yesterday that Brechin are preparing as normal for any upcoming home match but that the thought of Rangers not travelling to Glebe Park has been troubling him.

“I’ve been having sleepless nights and every day I wake up expecting a phone call saying they have the licence and we can play,” he said. “We are going on the assumption that the game will go ahead.”

Smith also believes the financial implications of Rangers not being in the top flight, coupled with the possible cancellation of this weekend’s cup tie, would mean Brechin’s budget for the season will take a hit.

“We got the Armageddon 
scenario from Neil Doncaster not so long ago whereby Sky pull the plug and put SPL and SFL clubs in danger,” he said. “That would see a big change in our circumstances because that is money we would get at the end of the season and it wouldn’t be there anymore.

“On that basis, we thought the Rangers game coming up would help to fill the gap.

City go into the new campaign a league above Rangers, in Division Two, but Smith reckons the cup fixture could be Brechin’s biggest game on and off the pitch this season.

He said: “The fact is that we sold our tickets out last night in 45 minutes. Rangers did the same thing at Ibrox on Monday during the day, the game is a complete and utter sell-out.