Rangers takeover: Donald Trump claim emerges as details revealed
Ally McCoist has issued his verdict on Donald Trump being linked with a move to buy Rangers over a decade ago.
With the San Francisco 49ers agreeing a deal in principle to buy the Gers, McCoist was quizzed about the President of the United States’ past links to the club.
Back then, the commander-in-chief was not a politician and was merely a billionaire businessman with investments all around the world.
Donald Trump taking over the Ibrox outfit was never on the cards
McCoist admits that he was aware of the links but was never conscious of the fact that things were going to happen.
He brushed them off as mere rumours and spoke about his golf courses in Turnberry and Trump International in Aberdeen.
In an interview with Four Four Two, he said: “I was aware of the rumours – I think my first sit-down board meeting would have been interesting.
“The one thing I would say about Trump – we can argue about his politics, we’ll probably agree on what we think about his politics and we can discuss it until the cows come home – but he knows how to run a golf course, I can tell you that!
“So forget everything else, if it’s any dealings in sport, his two golf courses north of the border, Turnberry and Trump International in Aberdeen, are nothing short of magnificent, they really are.
“But I wasn’t really conscious of the fact that the deal was anything like going to happen, I think they were just rumours.”
Rangers avoid an even trickier era with Donald Trump not taking over
At the time, Trump was a billionaire businessman, not yet a polarising political figure, but his lack of football expertise could have posed risks.
While McCoist praises Trump’s ability to manage golf courses, running a football club demands a different skill set which includes strategic squad-building, fan engagement and navigating the competitive Scottish football landscape.
| Shareholder | Stake |
| Dave King | 12.96% |
| Douglas Park | 11.54% |
| George Taylor | 10.22% |
| Stuart Gibson | 9.53% |
| Julian Wolhardt | 9.53% |
| John Halsted | 9.53% |
| John Bennett | 7.11% |
The President’s rumoured bid, dismissed as mere speculation, lacked evidence of serious intent or a coherent vision for Rangers, suggesting it might have been more about publicity than substance.
By contrast, the San Francisco 49ers’ current takeover, offers a more promising outlook.
Unlike Trump, the 49ers bring proven sports management experience from the NFL and their ownership of Leeds United, alongside substantial financial resources.
This aligns better with Gers’ needs, which are squad investment, infrastructure upgrades and a data-driven approach to compete with Celtic.
Trump’s involvement could have risked financial instability or mismanagement, given his focus on high-profile ventures rather than football-specific strategies.
His later political controversies might also have alienated fans, creating division at Ibrox.
McCoist’s lighthearted scepticism underscores the relief that Rangers dodged an uncertain experiment.