This is the same club we had a link with about ten years ago and sold their orange tops in our Rangers shops Regardless of what Bain said back then, we must try to exploit every avenue possible to make some money. So hopefully if it is a true story the China trip will go ahead. Rangers announced a partnership with China Super League club Shenzhen Jianlibao in April 2004. The main benefit of this deal was Rangers expanding their brand to the Far East, as well as cooperation in coaching, sports science, player development, exhibition matches and commercial deals. Shenzhen Jianlibao general manager Zhang Jian said "Rangers FC also has made excellent achievements in the areas of market development, commercial exploitation and supporters services through a well-established management system." He also commented "I hope to be able to assist Shenzhen Jianlibao in future development. Having a hands-on role in the development of young players there will enable Rangers to keep an eye on some of the best young talent in China." Rangers were linked with Zheng Zhi during the link-up but nothing came of it. He went on to play with a relegated Charlton team and is part of the Celtic side that made their worst start to an SPL season in 10 years. As part of the deal, Rangers shirts were sold in China and the Shenzhen fans took to the club, unveiling a friendly banner in praise of Rangers that went halfway round the stadium. On the other side of the world, orange Shenzhen strips with the Rangers badge on it were sold in Rangers shops around Britain. It seemed to sell pretty well, as you'd imagine, as many of these strips could be soon on matchdays. Shortly after the deal, 30 Chinese teenagers were due to fly out to Glasgow to spend a month at the club. Rangers had planned to have a summer tour in China and Shenzhen in particular but nothing came to it and the partnership fizzled away. It was a partnership that should have been far better exploited. Martin Bain said "We've severed our relationship with Shenzhen Jianlibao. It was a partnership we went into not knowing if it was the right thing to do or not. We've looked at our fan base throughout the world and we have a core support in Canada and North America so we've decided this is where we're going to be aggressive in terms of our marketing - soccer camps, etcetera. In China and the Far East you need a media visibility and Scottish football competes with the Premiership, as well as Italy's Serie A and the German Bundesliga. Chelsea have a core fan base in North America and I know from discussions with their chief executive they have also targeted North America, China and the Far East. But I've still to have anyone say to me, 'Here are tangible numbers and profits to come out of this part of the world' - certainly in this country." Rangers have barely marketed in the States at all since Bain made these comments. Shenzhen have since been bought over and renamed Shenzhen Ruby FC. PS. They have changed their name a few times since 1994.