Whenever talk of a takeover arises – like at Rangers as the San Francisco 49ers enter advanced talks with the Ibrox outfit – rumours usually bring uncertainty as well as suggestions of a brighter future.
After former chairman Alistair Johnson suggested Rangers entering a multi-club model during the AGM back in December, are one of the most historic institutions in British football destined to lose their identity?
Rangers News have already been informed that Red Bull are watching those 49ers talks with interest. ‘Red Bull Rangers’, anyone?
Fortunately, it appears that Rangers are likely to be run in a similar vein to Paraag Marathe’s other venture, Leeds United, with signs of Red Bull influence limited to the sponsors on their shirt.
Presuming there are no nasty surprises – a Cardiff City-style shift from blue to red, for instance, or an ill-advised new badge – Gordon Dalziel sees no reason why a fresh start at Ibrox cannot bring out prosperity and success.
Gordon Dalziel convinced American takeover is good news for Rangers
The emergence of the San Fransisco 49ers interest comes as Rangers sit 13 points behind Celtic in the Premiership table. It comes after a stunning defeat by second-tier Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup ends any hopes of domestic silverware for 2024/25.
It comes as a long-disilussioned and frustrated fanbase reach their wits end.
“See, after they get knocked out the cup by Queen’s Park, years ago there would have been such an outcry that the manager would have bene out the door that night!,” claims Dalziel, who represented Rangers in the late-1970s and early-1980s before joining Manchester City.
“The fans are sick to the teeth of it. They pay a lot of good money, they go in huge numbers, they travel well. They need some excitement!
“Just now, any fan I’m speaking to today, you can hear the excitement in their voices. They just want something to happen!”
Something, it seems, is happening. And not a moment too soon.
According to the Scottish Sun, the 49ers see ‘huge potential’ in Rangers. Given the size of their fanbase, their storied history, and almost guaranteed access to European football, this is a club with a considerable upside.
One that, with added investment and some general direction, could once again become a powerhouse.
49ers investment can help Rangers close down Celtic at last
In a week in which Celtic came within touching distance of stunning Bayern Munich and reaching the Champions League last-16, Dalziel feels that ambitious American owners could be the thing which lights the fuse under the club on the other side of the Old Firm divide.
“The only way you’ve got a possibility of catching Celtic is this sort of thing happening,” Dalziel adds. “Someone taking the club, with new ideas, by the scruff of the neck, investing in the capital and all of a sudden seeing the changes.
“I think, right now, the thing that upsets the supporters as much as how Rangers are run, and its happened for years and years, its the fact that are looking at a club in the East End of Glasgow getting bigger and bigger and better financially.
“On the pitch, everything about them growing absolutely brilliantly. They were seconds away from beating Bayern Munich! Rangers supporters want a bit of that.
“Right now, for Rangers, it’s a positive, and the fans need that. They need a vision, they need to look forward to next season. Because, I keep saying it, Celtic are going miles away from them. This is giving them that little bit of hope.
“I think it can only be a good thing for Rangers.”
