Rangers, Paraag Marathe, Andrew Cavenagh, Ibrox
(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media/Sky Scotland on X)
Declan Carr
Sun 23 March 2025 17:10, UK
49ers Enterprises are edging closer to their takeover of Rangers.
The group led by Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe and ParetoHealth chief Andrew Cavanagh have agreed a deal to purchase a controlling stake in the Ibrox outfit.
The deal now hinges on the due diligence process and legal paperwork being completed ahead of a potentially huge summer in Govan.
Rangers Paraag Marathe
Marathe is leading negotiations at Ibrox. (Credit: Leeds United on YouTube)
Hibernian chief shares the reason that Rangers appeal to the 49ers
Rangers are a massive club in British football and that is part of the reason why the deal appeals to the American businessmen.
However, another reason for their interest in taking over at Auchenhowie has been revealed by Hibernian owner Ian Gordon.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
In quotes reported by Daily Record (23 March), he said: “In Scotland, you have that heritage of football, it’s different, it’s just different from how soccer is or American football is back home.
“It’s not something that is passed down by generation by generation and there’s real history here.
“So I think Americans want to tap into that because that’s not something that they’re able to have back home.
“And I think they see all the opportunities now with all the docu-series that are coming out and the fame that people are able to get from football and how they can grow their football clubs. I think it’s a huge desire for Americans.”
The future is bright in Govan. (Credit: Imago)
Rangers can reach another level under the 49ers
There is a lot of work to be done at Ibrox if the takeover is completed, the managerial situation being the most obvious decision that the new ownership will have to make.
Barry Ferguson seems to be the obvious candidate due to the impact that he has had on the playing squad and the atmosphere around the Govan outfit, taking them to the Europa League quarter-finals.
Scottish Premiership Played GD Points
1. Celtic 30 +69 75
2. Rangers 30 +34 62
The gap between Celtic and Rangers
The next decision is how much of a rebuild is needed on the pitch, in terms of the players, how many should still be around next season given the disastrous domestic campaign primarily under Philippe Clement.
Transfers will be a major endeavour, the squad needs a considerable upgrade to bridge the gap to Celtic, which currently stands at 13 points and Vaclav Cerny, arguably the Light Blues best player is set to leave at the end of the season when his loan expires.
However, once the immediate problems are sorted out, the 49ers can begin work to make the Gers more competitive in the long term with better commercial deals and a new recruitment strategy in place at Auchenhowie.
The deal brings the prospects of brighter days ahead and if the club can get it right in both the transfer and the commercial markets, the new owners could take them to new heights but they will need to be given time to sort out the mess.
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