Exclusive: Bengaluru FC set to announce partnership with Scottish giants

The multi-dimensional association will include an exchange program, pre-season training for the Blues and inputs in youth development.

Bengaluru FC are to become the latest Indian club to tie a partnership with a European side, as the defending Indian Super League (ISL) champions are all set to announce a technical partnership with Scottish giants Rangers.

According to Khel Now sources, both the clubs have signed the dotted line on the agreement and should make an official announcement relatively soon. Rangers have been challenging for the Scottish Premiership ever since Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard came aboard as coach, finishing second to champions Celtic last season.

As this will be a technical deal, it’ll work more towards helping improve the youth development standards of Bengaluru. The deal will see an exchange program between the two clubs, where they will exchange certain players to train in their respective sides every season.

Moreover, the Blues will also have the right to undertake their pre-season training in Scotland for forthcoming campaigns. There will also be inputs in youth development for Bengaluru by Rangers, who have held the reputation for opening doors for many youngsters in recent years.

The Blues will definitely benefit from this deal, which will see them shape a better future for their youth and also get the exposure of undergoing rigorous pre-season training with them. Even the exchange program will help certain Bengaluru stars to experience the stern training methods at Rangers.

After Jamshedpur FC announced a deal with Atletico Madrid earlier in the summer, Bengaluru FC are set to become the latest franchise to ink such a deal with a European giant. I-League outfit Minerva Punjab had also recently inked a deal focusing on youth development with German giants Borussia Monchengladbach.

Rangers are among the Oldest Clubs in Scotland, having been formed in 1872! They've won the Scottish League title a mammoth 54 times along with the Scottish Cup on 33 occasions! The Gers also won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1972, their only European trophy. They share a fiery rivalry with Celtic, also known as the "Old Firm Derby" which is among the oldest derbies in the world.

Bengaluru FC are comparatively a much younger side having only been formed in 2013. However, their titanic rise has been among the best stories in Indian Football as they've won a trophy in every season of existence. Apart from the ISL, they've won the I-League twice, the Federation Cup twice and the Super Cup once. However, their biggest achievement still remains becoming AFC Cup runners-up in 2015-16 season, the farthest an Indian side has ever progressed into the tournament.

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Bengaluru captain Sunil Chhetri actually went for a trial at Rangers back in 2011 along with fellow India team-mate Jeje Lalpekhlua. Chhetri then played for Mohun Bagana and Jeje for Pune FC, but frustrations revolving around their visa issues and clashing with league games marred a frustrating trial outing.

Bengaluru are having some internal troubles dealing with the Sree Kanteerava Stadium issue after protests from fellow athletes. The Blues have earmarked Pune’s Balewadi Stadium as their potential home ground for next season, if they can’t solve the Kanteerava issue.

Despite this nagging issue, the Rangers deal will definitely be a breath of fresh air for Bengaluru. Knowing how well their current youth program is going after watching Bengaluru FC B’s impressive showing in last season’s I-League 2nd Division and Durand Cup this year, getting youth input and more from a club of Rangers' stature will definitely help take them to another level.