Credit: Imago

Dan Plumley

Sun 16 March 2025 8:10, UK

Rangers have already held talks over guaranteed future investment from their impending new owners but receiving that will not be straightforward.

The Ibrox outfit are on the verge of a takeover by a US consortium led by Paraag Marathe of the 49ers Enterprises and healthcare mogul Andrew Cavenagh.

The American franchise has reached an agreement in principle to move forward with the proposed takeover, with the deal now expected to be finalised after due diligence and necessary paperwork.

Rangers future investment emerges with 49ers

Rangers have had discussions over guaranteed future investment, although that depends on their progression in European competitions and player trading.

Dan Plumley is not surprised that is the case as the revenue of clubs in the Scottish Premiership heavily relies on which European competition they participate in and how far they go in them.

The football finance expert explained that the Bears’ situation on the pitch will be a “caveat” to any future cash injection at Ibrox.

“It kind of has to be that way with Rangers and that’s not a slight on the club”, Plumley exclusively told Ibrox News.

“That’s the nature of the Scottish Premiership in the context of European football because how many times have we said that a lot of what’s going to dictate their financial performance year to year is European qualification or not, or the competition that they qualify for.

“We have started to see some of the early estimates of what the new Champions League format can give you as an example, and if you can get into that space, then your revenue uplift is really significant.

Marathe and Cavenagh on cusp of takeover

“So, I understand that approach thereof if there is investment to come in, that’s great, but it will have to be dependent also on what Rangers do on the pitch, and that could fluctuate year to year.

“If they do have a really good year and let’s say it’s the Champions League as an example in the future, then that opens the possibility for more movement in and out, and a greater calibre of signings, that’s just kind of logical sense.

“Again, it’s just a sensible way to look at that investment. It needs to happen, there needs to be some investment coming in, but you have to caveat that with where the club are on the pitch season to season just because of the league that they’re in and its position in the European landscape.“

Nevertheless, there is excitement building around Ibrox as Marathe and Cavenagh edge closer to acquiring a 51 per cent stake in the Gers.

The fans will be hopeful that the new owners can help them forget the disappointment of years of mismanagement when they eventually take over.

If all goes to plan, the new owners will be in power in time for next season.