The impending takeover of Rangers by 49ers Enterprises is likely to bring a seismic shift at the club.
Talks over a deal between the two parties is at an advanced stage with the 49ers group close to taking a controlling stake in Gers.
An update this week stated the consortium have an ‘agreement in principle’ with Rangers while it was claimed there are guarantees about money being made available for transfers.
It came after Dave King revealed he was ready to sell his shares to the American consortium, keen to leave the legacy of handing the club over to good hands.
An announcement could be imminent and that would mean money available to potentially attract a higher calibre manager for next season, and also for him to spend on players in the summer transfer window.
And the realisation seems to be setting in across the city with a respected Celtic voice acknowledging this could be a game changer for Rangers.
27 Aug 2000: Billy Dodds (left) of Rangers slides into Alan Stubbs (right) of Celtic during the Scottish Premier League match played at Celtic Park, in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic won the match 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport
27 Aug 2000: Billy Dodds (left) of Rangers slides into Alan Stubbs (right) of Celtic during the Scottish Premier League match played at Celtic Park, in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic won the match 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport
Alan Stubbs in denial over Rangers takeover
However, one of their former players is trying to play down the significance of the 49ers Enterprises takeover.
Alan Stubbs says Celtic are a “runaway train” and will be very difficult to catch even with added investment into Rangers.
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He has tried to play down how important a mega cash injection at Ibrox could be.
As reported by the Scottish Sun, Stubbs said: “Celtic have been unbelievable.
“The stature of the two Glasgow clubs is still enormous. But in terms of their spending power, we’ve got one that’s a runaway train.
“We’ve got one that’s trying to catch up and finding it very difficult.
“Even if Rangers get investment, it doesn’t guarantee success. I’ve seen that first hand with my team, Everton.
“Celtic had it a few years ago where their recruitment wasn’t great.
“Since Brendan Rodgers has come back, we’ve seen players go out and there’s been a real upturn in terms of the calibre of players they’re bringing in.
“If Rangers get taken over by the 49ers, the owners are there.
“But, and I’ve said this about Everton, the most important signing is a director of football. A head of recruitment, not a manager.
“Managers are going to come and go. It’s the DNA of the club and the style of play that needs to be set from the top down.”
The Everton example is a poor one, given the Toffees are simply spending big along with every other club in their division. It’s saturated down south and means that you have to spend to even keep your head above water.
Whereas up here, Rangers only need to try and go from second in the Premiership to first.
Of course the sporting director and managerial appointments need to be spot on but that is the same for every club in football.
It’s simply ignoring the obvious to try and state an multimillion pound investment is meaningless.