TALK of top dollar investment in Rangers from an American-based consortium has swept Scotland.
Owners of the San Frnacisco 49ers NFL franchise are in high-level talks to buy into Ibrox – prompted by director John Halsted.
San Francisco 49ers owners are in talks about a stake in Rangers[/caption]
They already own Leeds United and would be limited to less than a third of the Gers under current Scottish FA ownership rules.
But others may be tempted to join them with Paraag Marathe spearheading Leeds’ promotion push.
However it’s that interest at Elland Road that is crucial for football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
Rather than lean into the ideal of a growing football network he has attempted to temper Gers fans’ expectations.
After being quizzed by a Celtic fan online, the ‘Price of Football’ host has played down talk of a big cash bonanza at Ibrox saying a bank balance boost would be “unlikely”.
He explained: “The biggest issue at Rangers is in relation to boardroom and investor issues as there has been a lot of conflict, although things seem to be improving.
“New owners could assist, but note that SF49’ers already own Leeds United so it is unlikely to be a huge cash injection.”
The Gers boardroom already has a Stateside influence with US-based Alastair Johnston and fellow director John Halsted based in California.
Sunsport understands it is the latter who has played a pivotal role in rounding up the potential investors for the takeover talks.
Johnston himself admitted he had a meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe – owner of INEOS – ahead of Gers’ clash with OGC Nice in the Europa League last year.
He said: “We were in Nice last week. I had lunch along with several of my friends, fellow directors and officers.
“And the owner there was Jim Ratcliffe who, through his company. has authority of Manchester United.
“But he basically owns everything else. We’re looking right now at different issues as to whether or not club formations can be a pathway for us.
“For example, everybody knows Manchester City‘s got clubs under its umbrella. I think that’s one we may be looking at more carefully.
It is not our policy to comment on speculation.
If there were any such discussions, these would remain confidential.”
Rangers Spokesperson
“In terms of the new CEO coming in from Manchester United, I would look for him to provide a lot of advice in that regard, and how we basically improve our bottom line by collaborating.”
And at the same AGM then chairman John Gilligan confirmed fresh investment was coming.
He said: “There is fresh investment coming into the club.
“We are open to anyone who approaches us on investment. But it has to be the right people and the right conditions and for the right amount of shares.
“We don’t want one person owning the club.”
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