Rangers set for ‘massive injection of transfer cash’ in 49ers deal
Rangers impending takeover by a group backed by 49ers Enterprises looks set to have a major impact financially at Ibrox, reports according to the Daily Record.
The Bears have languished behind their Old Firm Rivals, Celtic, having finished second behind the Hoops in every season since 2019, barring a title-win under Steven Gerrard in 2021.
Philippe Clement is likely set to be sacked by Rangers, with his squad struggling to keep pace with a Celtic side who hold a 13 point lead in the Scottish Premiership.
However, a consortium involving Leeds chairman and head of 49ers Enterprisies, Paraag Marathe, could be set to revitalise the club as they look to buy-up enough shares in Rangers, in order to become the biggest single shareholders at the club.
The Blue half of Glasgow have been desperate to see new investors come in and reinvigorate the club, and news of a takeover being at an advanced stage, according to The Record, will be just what Rangers fans want to hear.
Rangers due major cash boost in 49ers Enterprises takeover talks
Celtic registered a profit of £44million for the first half of the 2024/25 season, and Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Rangers would need to “produce something out of nothing”, in order to keep up with their rivals.
That “something” may well have arrived, in the form of the takeover bid from Marathe’s US-based consortium.
Not only will they reportedly inject a massive amount of transfer cash, but Rangers will also gain access to the San Francisco 49ers cutting edge, data driven technology for player recruitment.
The player recruitment will not only be boosted by the technology on offer, but also the new sponsorship and commercial offers available to the Bears.
Celtic have been lauded as one of the best-run teams in football, and are going from strength-to-strength both on the pitch, and off it.
The boost that 49ers Enterprise would be able to offer may level the playing field between the two historic rivals.
If the American consortium is successful in their takeover bid, they will likely demand seats in a new look boardroom.
Former chairman Dave King owns almost 13% of the club, Douglas Park retains nearly 12%, George Taylor holds just over 10%, Stuart Gibson and John Bennett own around 7% each and directors Julian Wolhardt and John Halsted share a combined stake of just over 12%. The current configuration of major shareholders will complicate any deal.
Rangers can finally close the gap to Celtic and become true competitors again
Football Insider Verdict
Scottish football feels like it has been missing its edge for a while now, Celtic’s lack of a true contender in the league has made the Scottish Premiership feel like a formality, rather than a competition.
However, Rangers’ ground-breaking potential takeover could breath new life into the Old Firm rivalry.
| Scottish Premiership standing | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 1. Celtic | 26 | +64 | 69 |
| 2. Rangers | 26 | +34 | 56 |
With news that Celtic have an extensive shopping-list for the summer window, the Bears can now begin to add names to a list of their own, having been reliant on loan deals and cheap options for so long.
Whilst the Bhoys will likely be concerned about finally relinquishing their status as kings of the north, the competition will be healthy for all involved, and likely lead to better performances from both sides as they push each-other to improve year-on-year.
Rangers have been linked with a sensational move for Steven Gerrard, and the Englishman could return to bring back the glory days for the Bears if the 49ers Enterprise are successful in their takeover bid.