49ers Enterprises pose massive threat to Celtic as Rangers takeover progresses
Rangers’ impending takeover by the 49ers Enterprises group could cause danger for Celtic.
The Scottish Premiership champions are 17-points ahead of the Gers at the moment, who have struggled to keep the pace.
However, times are changing in Govan and the group led by Paraag Marathe and Andrew Cavenagh are set to revolutionise the boardroom at Auchenhowie.
The Hoops have been warned about the potential that the deal has on their chances of dominating Scotland in the future.
Rangers set for quick changes under 49ers
The Ibrox outfit are set for an exciting new era as the American Football franchise’s enterprise arm takes a controlling share.
The deal will end the years of shareholder fighting that has held the Bears back in recent years and Gary Keown believes that it could spell trouble for their Glasgow rivals.
In a column in the Scottish Mail on Sunday’s print edition (4 May, page 93), he said: “The involvement of 49ers Enterprises is going to change Rangers for the better.
“If you play the percentages, the chances are they have too much wreckage to sift through to win the league against a Celtic set-up with hefty resources and a far stronger infrastructure next term.
“But their track record suggests they will make the Ibrox club more of a force year on year. Progressively more of a danger.”
49ers still have huge job on their hands with Rangers
The finances, data and shared scouting knowledge that the 49ers will bring to the Gers will make the transition easier but there is still a huge task list when they start their overhaul.
The Gers’ playing squad is clearly not good enough and needs a significant revamp if they are to challenge Brendan Rodgers’ side.
| Scottish Premiership | Played | GD | Points |
| C. Celtic | 34 | +80 | 84 |
| 2. Rangers | 34 | +33 | 67 |
The likes of Hamza Igamane and Nico Raskin seem set to attract interest from south of the border and the Bears may struggle to resist advances for their star players.
Perhaps most importantly, the managerial situation is up in the air, interim boss Ferguson‘s future is uncertain after a mixed run of results since he replaced Philippe Clement.
There is no magic solution to the next appointment, former manager Steven Gerrard has been linked but there are doubts about his ability to transform the Govan giants after poor stints with Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq.
Keown is right, Celtic may have it easy again next season as there is too much baggage to sort but the Gers should bounce back sooner than they would have without the new investment.