Kieran Maguire reacts to huge Rangers takeover twist after Ibrox ‘conflict’
Kieran Maguire has issued his verdict on the biggest issue at Rangers that could prevent the takeover from happening.
This comes after news emerged that Leeds United owners San Francisco 49ers, an NFL team, are keen on buying the Ibrox outfit.
Currently, Gers have a number of shareholders, with nobody holding more than a 13 per cent stake in the club.
Rangers are unlikely to receive a heavy cash injection
Finance expert Maguire has explained that the conflict among the board members like Dave King and Douglas Park at Gers makes it difficult for any takeover to happen.
However, he has laid out the caveat that things appear to be improving behind the scenes at Ibrox.
That said, as the San Francisco 49ers already own Leeds, they are unlikely to invest too much money into Gers.
Maguire wrote on X: “The biggest issue at Rangers is in relation to boardroom and investor issues as there has been a lot of conflict, although things seem to be improving. New owners could assist, but note that SF49’ers already own Leeds United so it is unlikely to be a huge cash injection.”
| Entity | Stake in Rangers |
| Dave King | 13% |
| Douglas Park | 11.5% |
| George Taylor | 10.22% |
| Stuart Gibson | 9.53% |
| John Bennett | 7.11% |
| Bonita Investments Ltd. | 6.69% |
| Perron Investments Ltd. | 6% |
San Francisco 49ers’ investment likely to be a net good at Ibrox
Currently, the decision-making at the club is fragmented, complicating any takeover.
While tensions have historically hindered progress, recent improvements suggest a pathway forward with Patrick Stewart confirming that work is ongoing for a new sporting director.
However, despite no big investment on the horizon, this could still be a net good for the club as Gers don’t necessarily need the 49ers to execute a full takeover to thrive.
The club could benefit more from strategic boardroom representation and modernisation efforts spearheaded by the NFL giants.
Their expertise in sports management, data analytics and commercial expansion could professionalise Gers’ operations without requiring outright ownership.
It would likely streamline decision-making, resolve internal conflicts and introduce innovative practices to elevate the club’s competitiveness.
With a bolstered structure, Rangers could reclaim their place at the summit of Scottish football, challenging Celtic’s dominance and enhancing their European prospects.
Rather than relying on a financial overhaul, the 49ers’ involvement could provide the tools and vision to modernise Gers.