Rangers ‘go against’ 49ers wishes in new takeover twist
San Francisco 49ers are on the cusp of finalising the Rangers takeover ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Gers played Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday and the game ended 1-1, with Cyriel Dessers and Adam Idah scoring.
The Old Firm derby was marred by controversy and the drama has unfolded into the new week as well.
Bill Leckie slams Gers as the 49ers aim to finalise the takeover
Gers fans unfurled a controversial tifo in the stands and that led to plenty of anger directed towards them and the club.
The Ibrox outfit ended up apologising for the incident and also condemned the throwing of missiles on the pitch.
Scottish Sun journalist Bill Leckie is not pleased with Rangers for not checking the contents of the tifo before allowing it inside the stands and shared the ramifications it will have on the takeover.
| Major shareholders | Percentage |
| New Oasis Asset Limited | 12.96 |
| Douglas Park | 11.54 |
| George Alexander Taylor | 10.22 |
| Stuart Gibson | 9.53 |
| John Bennett | 7.11 |
| Borita Investments Limited | 6.69 |
| Perron Investments LLC | 6 |
He wrote: “If they really did still have a blind faith in a gang who’ve already seen them put on probation over a quarter of the stadium being closed, then serious questions need asked – and not just by CEO Patrick Stewart, but by the 49ers consortium who are about to do the i-dotting and t-crossing on the paperwork for a takeover deal.
“Is this what they’re signing up for? Is this what they want from their new purchase?
“To see a club with such a wonderful trophy-winning history and which is followed by so many amazing, football-loving fans being defined by some sinister, hate-filled lynch mob? Surely not.”
49ers must ensure these things don’t happen once they buy Rangers
The 49ers Enterprises, set to acquire Rangers, face a reputational crisis due to a toxic minority of fans whose actions, like the shocking tifo of Graeme Souness with a shotgun, alongside missiles thrown at Celtic’s goalkeeper, project a violent, hateful image.
This behaviour, condemned by Rangers as “unacceptable,” risks SPFL and SFA sanctions, clashing with the 49ers’ aim to transform the Ibrox outfit into a modern, commercially appealing club.
Such toxicity, unseen in their NFL or Leeds United ventures, could deter sponsors, alienate fans and invite regulatory scrutiny, undermining their vision of leveraging Rangers’ legacy for global growth.
Weak oversight, evident in the club’s failure to vet the tifo, further alarms investors expecting professionalism.
To counter this, the 49ers must enforce strict fan display approvals, establish a fan liaison team and launch inclusive community programs to dilute extremist influence.
Strengthening governance with experienced executives and digital engagement tools, proven at Leeds, can foster positive fan behaviour.
Publicly condemning toxicity and banning offenders will signal a new era, aligning Rangers with the 49ers’ progressive vision and ensuring a thriving, respected club.