‘Rangers is bigger than 49ers can imagine’ – Wyness reacts to takeover news
Rangers’ 49ers Enterprises takeover is inching closer after months of negotiations between the current board and the US consortium.
The Ibrox club confirmed for the first time last week that they are in the takeover process – with the 49ers and their partners set to take a 51% stake.
According to Ibrox Noise (27 April), the deal could be finalised and announced in the coming days.
Investment at Rangers is much-needed after years of stagnation under the status quo – with the Gers trophyless this season and trailing champions Celtic in the Scottish Premiership by 17 points.
But Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has fired a “massive” warning to the 49ers as they prepare to head in at Ibrox.
49ers ‘don’t understand what they’re getting into’ at Rangers
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted CEO Patrick Stewart will have to “take a lot of pressure” as the 49ers learn the ropes at Rangers.
The US investors also own a majority stake in English giants Leeds United – who have just been promoted to the Premier League.
Wyness insisted “Rangers is bigger than the 49ers can imagine” and warned they had “better quickly learn” what makes the world go round in Glasgow.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | Celtic (C) | 34 | 84 | 80 |
| 2 | Rangers | 34 | 67 | 33 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “What I’m hearing is that the 49ers don’t quite understand what they’re getting into here.
“They had better quickly learn.
“I’m sure the CEO, Patrick Stewart, is going to take a lot of that pressure. He’s going to have to teach them quickly.
“They’re not just buying a football club. It may be very attractive on the business side, but they’re buying into a massive institution.
“It’s a beast of its own making.
“The 49ers better learn quickly and understand just what they’re doing, because Rangers is bigger than they can imagine.”
Rangers new manager will be given big backing
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed (20 April) that Rangers’ new manager will be given the financial backing needed to close the gap on Celtic this summer.
Football Insider revealed last month that the Glasgow giants will wait to make an announcement on a new manager until after the final day of the season.
Barry Ferguson is in interim charge at Ibrox but is not expected to get the permanent job.
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