Rangers takeover: Kieran Maguire reacts to major development
Kieran Maguire has delivered his verdict on the Rangers takeover, with Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises aiming to finalise the deal.
The deal, which is expected to be finalised by the end of May, signals a transformative era for the Gers.
Dave King and a number of other shareholders are on board with it and are willing to part ways with some or all of their stake.
Maguire explains boardroom politics at Ibrox
Delivering his verdict on the takeover, Maguire, a finance expert, told the Sun: “But in terms of the quality of management and the decision-making, which is a critical part to running a business, I think the 49ers have a lot to add because they’ve got that experience of the American franchise system.
“They’ve got the experience of running businesses as businesses and also they want everybody to be in alignment.
“One of the problems we’ve seen at Rangers in recent years is that there has been a divided boardroom.
“There have been splits and factions between the owners and this has allowed Celtic to pass them quite serenely and to keep the distance that they’ve had, where perhaps Rangers fans had hoped that that would have been completely removed by now.”
This means no immediate transfer war chest, despite a £17.2million loss in 2024, but a focus on long-term profitability and stability.
The consortium, led by Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe, aims to secure a 51% stake, ensuring boardroom control and ending years of internal conflicts that have allowed Celtic to dominate.
Rangers fans must expect gradual squad improvements rather than a radical upheaval
Fans should expect gradual squad improvements, with funds from player sales, like potentially Ridvan Yilmaz, reinvested strategically, as seen in 49ers’ Leeds United model, where £90million in player sales bolstered finances.
Key changes include appointing a new manager to replace interim Barry Ferguson, with names like Rafa Benitez in consideration, and integrating Kevin Thelwell as sporting director to streamline recruitment.
| Competition (2024/25) | Appearances | Starts |
| Scottish Premiership | 17 | 11 |
A forensic financial review will prioritise commercial growth, leveraging Ibrox’s fanbase for revenue.
Infrastructure upgrades and data-driven recruitment, inspired by 49ers’ NFL success, are also likely.
For Rangers to challenge Celtic’s reign, Gers must align their boardroom, foster a unified vision and patiently build a competitive squad, ensuring sustainable success over quick fixes.