Rangers fans haven’t had a lot to cheer about as Old Firm rivals Celtic look set to coast to yet another treble right in front of their eyes.
And yet, those of a green and white persuasion seem intent on focusing solely on their favourite subject – Rangers.
The San Francisco 49ers takeover could be completed by May with Patrick Stewart keen to appoint a sporting director and a new Rangers manager also set to take the reins.
Despite respectable news outlets from across the pond like The Athletic reporting the deal, every Scottish media outlet and Sky Sports, not everyone is convinced the takeover is going to happen.
Speaking to Clyde Superscoreboard, Celtic fan Stephen believes that his sources are more accurate than those of veteran journalist Hugh Keevins.
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Celtic fan in San Francisco 49ers-Rangers takeover denial rant
In a bizarre exchange, host Gordon Duncan presides as Keevins asks the questions and Marvin Bartley goes along with the nonsense.
This is how the conversation played out:
Stephen: How does Hugh know the 49ers are definitely coming in and nobody else knows?
Duncan: What do you mean, nobody else, it’s not just Hugh that’s talking about Rangers’ takeover?
Stephen: Wait a minute, wait a minute, who else is printing this, or who else?!
Keevins: I take it you’ve not bought a newspaper since 2000?
Duncan: I take it you don’t think this is going to happen?
Stephen: This is what I’m getting at, yes, I don’t think it’s going to happen, but Hugh seems to think it is definitely happening.
Bartley: So why don’t you think it is going to happen?
Stephen: Because I just don’t think it’s going to happen for a minute.
Duncan: But based on what?
Stephen: I just think it’s just, it’s….
Duncan: Do you not think it looks more likely than not?
Stephen: No.
Duncan: So why do you think Andrew Cavenagh’s started going to every Rangers games at Ibrox?
Stephen: Alright, there might be interest somewhere along the lines but know as much as…
Keevins: And how do you know that? You’ve accused me of not knowing what’s going on, how do you know this?
Duncan: For what it’s worth, Stephen might be right.
Stephen: You hear stories off of certain people, I hear stories off of certain people, is that correct?
Bartley: Who told you?
Duncan: What stories have you heard though?
*Bartley starts laughing*
Stephen: You get paid for putting headlines on papers, I don’t, I tell my pals, so your stories are the same as mine.
*Gordon puts his head in his hands*
Stephen: I hear stories, you hear stories.
Keevins: I’ll take your call, when it happens, I hope that you will be man enough to call in when this takes place, thank you, and goodbye.
Bartley: I’m with Stephen…
*All laugh, except Stephen*
Are Celtic fans running scared over Rangers takeover fears?
Where do you start?
There has always been a narrative that Celtic fans don’t celebrate their own triumphs as much as they enjoy Rangers struggling.
On the other hand, after what happened in 2012, Rangers fans truly appreciate success and what it means – they deserve it, they celebrate it.
Even in the midst of a potential treble campaign, there is a fear amongst their support that the bowling club operation behind the scenes is coming to an end – plus, Rangers aren’t going to be a feeder club.
The CEO has arrived from Man Utd, with the San Francisco 49ers having access to a world of data analysis to aid recruitment as well as commercial opportunities when the takeover is confirmed.
They have the depth of pocket to develop the capacity of Ibrox and close the revenue gap on Celtic almost immediately in terms of non-performance related revenue, something that they thought that they would control for years.
Celtic fans like Stephen have lorded it over their Rangers supporting colleagues and neighbours for years, the prospect of this ending is starting to take its toll.
