Rangers news round-up: ‘Significant’ takeover update, Rafa Benitez to Ibrox mooted
Rangers are still reeling after an embarrassing Scottish Premiership loss to Motherwell on Saturday, but the latest takeover talk does at least give fans something to be cheerful about.
The Gers were humiliated in Barry Ferguson’s first match in charge at Ibrox after Philippe Clement was dismissed.
Focus now turns to the Europa League clash with Fenerbahce and planning for next season after Celtic took a 16-point lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, with new manager and takeover talk going into overdrive.
Here, Ibrox News rounds up the latest Light Blues reports and rumours on 3 March.
Supercomputer predicts Fenerbache v Rangers result
Rangers return to Europa League action against Fenerbahce on Thursday (6 March) hoping to put their dismal domestic form to one side.
However, a new prediction from the Opta supercomputer believes that the Gers’ misery will be compounded in Turkey with the hosts having a 55.4 per cent chance of victory.
The Light Blues are rank outsiders and have a 21.6 per cent chance of success according to the statistical algorithm, with a draw more likely at 23 per cent.
Ianis Hagi to quit Ibrox after Rangers contract update
Talks with Ianis Hagi over a new contract at Ibrox have stalled due to the Romanian’s wage demands, according to ProSport.
Fenerbahce could add to the Light Blues’ woes if they beat them in the Europa League clash with the Turkish club in the running to secure the 26-year-old’s signature.
The report claims that Hagi has been “bombarded” with offers with Italian clubs also interested.
Sky Sports provide ‘significant’ Rangers takeover update
The 49ers takeover of Rangers seems to be gathering momentum and took a step closer to competition on Monday.
A report from Sky Sports reporter Gordon Duncan (3 March) claims that the club have agreed a deal in principle with the enterprise arm of the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise, and Andrew Cavanagh with both parties confident that the deal will be completed before next season.
It also states that due diligence is now set to take place with legal paperwork being drawn up.
Duncan summed up the situation, saying: “It’s heading in the right direction for significant boardroom change.”
Rafael Benitez move mooted for Rangers
Champions League winner Rafael Benitez‘s name has been thrown into the hat for the vacancy at Rangers.
Jeff Stelling made the suggestion live on talkSPORT (3 March, 9:41 am) and Ally McCoist responded to the idea.
Asked whether he would take the former Reds boss, the Gers legend said: “Absolutely.
“I haven’t got a problem with it. The only thing he’d need is the same as [Ruben] Amorim and that is a better squad of players to deal with than this moment in time.”