Rangers

Sources close to the possible takeover of Rangers involving the San Francisco 49ers' investment wing have revealed their hope - and expectation - that a deal can be completed between April and June.

There is "broad agreement" between all parties, with current shareholders expected to sell all, or part, of their stake in the club in the coming months.

The prospective owners would acquire more than 50% of the Rangers shares while taking on the debt, much of it owed to former chairman John Bennett.

Paraag Marathe, the Leeds United chairman and the force behind 49ers Investments, the investment wing of the 49ers NFL franchise, is a key player in the Rangers takeover.

Rangers fans - what do you make of this prospective deal? Give us your thoughts here., external

Image source, Getty Images

Paraag Marathe is a "smart businessman" who fell in love with football over a decade ago, says football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

A deal involving the San Francisco 49ers' investment arm to takeover Rangers is expected to be completed between April and June, sources close to negotiations have said.

Marathe, the Leeds United chairman and the force behind 49ers Investments, the investment wing of the 49ers NFL franchise, is a key player in the Rangers takeover.

"He's a smart businessman," Maguire told BBC Radio Scotland. "He's not the type that's going to throw money away. His responsibility is to look after the interests of the shareholders and investors in the 49ers' investment arm."

Marathe has worked for the 49ers for almost a quarter of a century now and found his love for football at Elland Road.

Maguire added: "He's very much a committed football fan. He fell in love with the game and he fell in love with Leeds United, well over a decade ago, and it was his ambition to take advantage of that club, which needs a bit of 'TLC' in terms of infrastructure and player investment.

"Leeds have progressed certainly this season and they only just failed to get promoted last season."

While a finalised deal isn't expected for a few months at least, Maguire also thinks that the current Rangers shareholders will all be on the same page if the offer is good enough.

"I think the challenge at Rangers is that you've got owners with different objectives who are not all pulling in the same direction, so if the offer is good enough, then everybody will fall in line," he continued.

"Rangers lost £17 million last season, so those losses have had to be effectively funded by shareholders and by loans and other forms of investment, and no individual shareholder particularly wants to do that on a regular basis at Rangers.

"If they felt that Paraag Marathe and the 49ers' investment arm could be good custodians of the club, I think you could get continuity and a deal done."

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• Rangers have won 23 of their last 25 home games against St. Mirren in all competitions (D2), including each of their last 14 in a row by an aggregate score of 39-5.

• After their 2-1 win in December, St. Mirren could win back-to-back league meetings with Rangers for the first time since winning three in a row in 1979-80 under Jim Clunie.

• Rangers have won each of their last five league games, all by a margin of at least two goals. They last won six in a row in the top flight by a 2+ goal margin in December 2009 under Walter Smith.

• While Rangers have earned the most points in the Scottish Premiership in 2025 (20), no side has picked up fewer than St. Mirren (4, level with Aberdeen and Motherwell), with the Buddies winning just one of six league matches this calendar year (D1 L4).

• Vaclav Cerny has scored more goals (10) than any other player for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership in 2024-25. Eight of those 10 strikes have come in home games – the most of any player for any side on home soil in the competition this term.

A US-led takeover bid for Rangers is at an advanced stage and the deal, with Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe as a key man, would result in the Ibrox club being run by the investment arm of NFL club San Francisco 49ers. (Daily Record), external

Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe and fellow US business figures have held detailed talks with Rangers in recent months, with current American board member John Halsted a prominent figure in bringing potential investors to the table, but there are still plenty of hurdles to overcome. (Scottish Sun), external

Paraag Marathe, who stands on the brink of putting together an American takeover of Rangers, grew up in California, the son of Indian immigrants, working behind the till of the family pizza restaurant before spending 24 years climbing his way up through the ranks of his beloved San Francisco 49ers. (Daily Record), external

While not denying the prospect of a potential takeover by American investors, a Rangers spokesperson stressed it is not their policy to comment on speculation and that, if there were any such discussions, they would remain confidential. (The Herald), external

Speaking recently on the Sports Geek Replay podcast, Paraag Marathe, who is being linked with a US-backed takeover of Rangers, explained how clubs in his stable no longer operate as "lemonade stands" and are run to maximise return on investment. (The National), external

While a San Francisco 49ers-backed takeover could boost Rangers financially and raise hopes of a hefty squad rebuild, financial sustainability rules brought in by Uefa restrict clubs' spending on wages, transfers and agent fees to 80% of revenue - 70% during the summer. (Glasgow Times), external

Rangers have received a £3.6m injection from their current owners in the form of a new share issue, but it is so far unclear whether the investment comes in the form of a cash injection or the conversion of debt into equity. (Football Insider), external

In the wake of a Times investigation, Rangers have been revealed as a third Scottish Premiership club, along with Dundee United and Hibernian, who received a major sum in research and development tax credits from HMRC, which is keen to recoup sums it says were meant for "science and tech". (Scottish Sun), external

Tom Taylor has departed his job as Rangers' head of performance after 14 months to join Chelsea as their lead physical performance coach. (The National), external

Ianis Hagi is expected to leave Rangers when his contract ends this summer, with the Scottish Premiership club saying during initial talks they are currently unable to afford the Romania midfielder's financial demands, and Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are among clubs monitoring the 26-year-old. (Pro Sport), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

It's easy to forget amid the most recent crisis at Ibrox that Rangers still have a Europa League last 16 draw to look forward to this week.

The win over Hearts seemed to throw up more questions than answers about the direction of the team under Philippe Clement, so there may be few supporters who are anticipating the European adventure will continue beyond this round.

Nonetheless, it is the one remaining aspect of the season that can galvanise the club and perhaps keep Clement in a job.

Before those ties, Rangers return to their home stadium for the first time since the embarrassment of the Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park when they host St Mirren on Saturday.

Clement has to find a way to invigorate his players for the remainder of the domestic campaign, which could easily turn into an apathetic traipse towards second place, with fans disengaged from the drudgery of effectively meaningless fixtures.

But if they are to have any hope of an extended European run, the players must show a reaction to the criticism that has come the way of them and their manager once again, otherwise the season really will be over before spring is upon us.

Ben Davies is not looking beyond his current loan spell with Birmingham City as the 29-year-old continues to impress with the League One leaders after a stop-start time with Rangers. (Glasgow Times), external

Rangers centre-half Leon Balogun has revealed he is determined to win an international recall with Nigeria at the age of 36. (The National), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

It's not going to be enough to change the collective mindset of many supporters, but Sunday was about winning – that was it.

Picking up a victory at Tynecastle is always a good thing, even if the performance lacked control and general quality.

Jack Butland was by far the man of the match, from a Rangers perspective, anyway.

It was like the Jack Butland we were used to when he first came in. His saves, along with Jamie McCart's own goal double, was welcome, with Cerny coming up big for us again too.

The problem with Clement's football is that it doesn't look anything like the kind of style that could win titles. Not now, obviously and not in the near future.

It's far too similar to a basketball game and we lack the control and the ability to retain possession. If you look across Europe and even at Celtic, they have that control and can pass teams to death.

We all knew this about this Rangers side; it's not new news. On we go to play St Mirren and see if we can manage to break down the low block.

It's the first game back at Ibrox since Queen's Park, so let's see what happens. The expectation bar is very low.

Sportscene pundits Steven Naismith and Stephen McGinn discuss Jack Butland's match-winning performance against Hearts in Rangers' 3-1 win at Tynecastle.

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Jack Butland admitted there were "a few harsh words" in the Rangers dressing room after their Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park.

Rangers lost 1-0 to the Championship side at Ibrox but Philippe Clement's side bounced back with a 3-1 Scottish Premiership win against Hearts on Sunday.

Butland made nine saves in a far from convincing performance at Tynecastle, and insists he thrives under the pressure that comes with being a Rangers player.

"I've been at clubs where the intensity and demand to win every week is not quite the same and I can tell you that this is much more fulfilling than that, knowing that every game is a game that needs to be won," Butland said.

"You need to understand what that is. Boys need to feel it. There's a few harsh words here and there and people need to hear things.

"If you don't enjoy this and you don't enjoy being part of this challenge, then I don't know what you'll enjoy."

Despite having been dumped out of the Scottish Cup and trailing Celtic in the league by 13 points, Butland says Rangers haven't given up on the season.

"There's always everything to play for," he said. "No friendlies here, there's no free hits, there's no games that you can toss aside as if it doesn't matter, there isn't that.

"Because no matter the game, if you don't get the right result, the reactions are the same. That's what this group is going to have to expect and as a result of that, the focus is to win every game."

Rangers fans, we asked for your views on the 3-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle. Here's a taste of what some of you had to say...

Dougie: Meaningless points, from a meaningless game within a meaningless season. Damage done.

Peter: There's going to be critics who will say the scoreline flattered us but I'll take it the three points all day until we can get up and running, on and off the park.

Anon: Another lucky escape with three points. Unfortunately, all this result does is keep our useless manager in a job for a while longer. Why doesn't he do the honourable thing and resign from a job that is too big for him?

Phil: Hearts controlled the whole game and were, by far, the better side but they failed to take their chances due to Jack Butland and some dogged defending. Queen's Park is history. We move on.

Ronnie: Normally a 3-1 win at Tynecastle is a great result for Rangers. It didn't feel like it. All week, we have heard from the manager and players telling us how they need to 'raise their' levels after last Sunday. They didn't. Hearts were by far the better team. Butland was outstanding and got us the points.

Peter: A 3-1 victory at Tynecastle is a great result for any away team. Yes, there were two own goals, but these were the result of pressure being applied and forcing errors from the home team which is all part of the game. I have to chuckle at the absolute drivel that is spouted about the losing team being the better team. Only one stat wins a game.

Anon: I'm not going to be a happy-clapper, this performance was pretty dire. It feels like a chore watching this team sometimes. Play anything like this in the Europa League round of 16 and it's game over, done.

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• Rangers have scored in 23 of their 26 games, only Celtic (24) have scored goals in more matches in the Premiership this season.

• Hearts have scored in their last three games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of five games from 22 December 2024 to 5 January 2025.

• Rangers have scored in each of their last 18 games in the Premiership, scoring 42 goals in that run, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 28 games from 16 September 2023 to 14 April 2024.

• Hearts have scored in each of their last three games in the Premiership, scoring 10 goals in that run.

• Rangers have won their last five games in the Premiership, their last longer winning streak was from 2 January 2024 to 28 February 2024, a run of nine games.

• James Penrice has assisted four goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Hearts player has more.

• Vaclav Cerny has scored 10 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Rangers player.

Watch highlights from Tynecastle as Rangers beat Hearts 3-1 in the Scottish Premiership. (UK users only).

Injured Rangers trio Connor Barron, Danilo and Dujon Sterling are nearing returns to full fitness. (Herald - subscription), external

Rangers have slashed their wage bill by almost a third, manager Philippe Clement has revealed, with the club detailing a £2.5m drop in first-team costs last season and another £6m expected to be cleared from their costs with the exit of several high-earners last summer. (Sun), external

The Scottish Premiership ranks 23rd in Europe for money made from player sales, with only five leaving for transfer fees during January and the vast majority of the £15.6m being made by Celtic, whose B team has earned more than closest rivals Rangers this season. (Transfermarkt), external

Hannover 96's downturn in form has put their permanent purchase of loan winger Rabbi Matondo from Rangers at risk, with the finalised deal dependent on the German club getting promoted. (Record), external

Ex-Kelty Hearts manager Kevin Thomson hints he has returned to coaching within former club Rangers' academy. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Two Jamie McCart own goals helped Rangers escape Tynecastle with a victory over Hearts as they narrowed the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic to 13 points and earned breathing space for under-pressure manager Philippe Clement.

The hosts had gone into the game unbeaten in eight outings and seeking a fifth win on the bounce - and can count themselves unfortunate not to at least secure a point that would have taken them into the top six.

McCart's first own goal had been cancelled out by Michael Steinwender, but Vaclav Cerny restored the lead and the home centre-half's second deflection ensured defeat, despite Hearts dominating possession and chances.

Give us your thoughts on Rangers' win., external

Rangers manager Philippe Clement was pleased to follow up last weekend's shock Scottish Cup defeat by Queen's Park with a Premiership win over Hearts.

"Everybody was devastated after last weekend," he told BBC Scotland. "There was only one way and that is getting a better result.

"Hearts went all in. We knew there would be spaces for us also."

Goalkeeper Jack Butland denied the hosts with several fine saves.

"Jack, we know his qualities," Clement said. "He was for a reason a player of the year last season. Today, he had a really strong performance."

Rangers have now won two away league games in a row.

"There's been a lot of talk about our away form and deserved in the first part of the season," Clement added.

"Winning at Hearts, it's an important one. Dundee United was also an important one."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Rangers manager Philippe Clement had made five changes to face Hearts from the side that lost to Queen's Park while insisting they were the result of squad rotation rather than a response to that damaging Scottish Cup exit.

The Glasgow side had been nine unbeaten domestically before then but were five away from home without a win before beating Dundee United in their previous trip outside Ibrox.

Which Rangers would turn up after heading along the M8?

It was certainly a more familiar line-up than the one that started against their Glasgow rivals and they looked to have returned to their previous form early on.

However, the fragility and inconsistency that has marred their domestic season returned and they can count themselves fortunate to have extended their unbeaten run against Hearts to 18 meetings.

That goalkeeper Jack Butland was man of the match tells its own story.

In the end, captain James Tavernier was able to celebrate his 300th Premiership appearance, making him the first non-Scottish player to reach that total in the competition since its 2013 rebrand, with a victory.

More importantly, Clement and the club's board will be able to breathe a sigh of relief as the pressure eases on the Belgian and he and his players took a small step towards mending their relationship with their disgruntled fans ahead of St Mirren's visit next weekend.

Rangers forward Hamza Igamane, 22, admits he needs to improve and believes he is "far from my potential". (Record), external

Manager Philippe Clement reveals Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, 18, was withdrawn at half-time of last weekend's Scottish Cup loss to Queen's Park for not "passing forward to break lines" but Clement insists Rice is "a player I really believe in". (Sun), external

Clement will not walk away from the toughest period in his managerial career. (Record), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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After a bruising few days in which Philippe Clement has battled media and fan criticism, the Rangers manager admitted this has been the toughest period of his managerial career.

The Belgian has been dealing with the fall-out from Rangers' loss to Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup, while in the league they trail Celtic by 16 points before Sunday's game against Hearts.

"Yes, it is," said Clement, when asked if this was the hardest spell of his 13 years in management. "And for sure because of the last game, it's the most freaky one also, to lose that game.

"Because of that, with all the reactions, yes that's the toughest moment until now. But I'm not running away from it.

"I think it's the same as in Club Brugge where you need to win every game.

"But I didn't have freaky results like we had and I understand all the anger around that result."

A poor result against Hearts, who are yet to lose in 2025, would only add to the pressure but Clement is certain he can lift his players.

"[I plan] to speak with them, to see who needs what, to see what we need as a team, to learn from this last game where mistakes were made and things they did well," said the 50-year-old.

"And to focus on Hearts because it's a different game, it's a different opponent.

"And we need to show again what the team has shown the last weeks, this last period, where they played good games. That's what we need to show on Sunday."

The manager also defended his decision to replace 18-year-old Bailey Rice at half-time against Queen's Park, on the youngster's first professional start for Rangers.

"I know there is concern from people about Bailey being taken off and the effect it will be on him. I can say there's no reason to have any doubts about that.

"We had a meeting with Bailey like we do with other players, and it's always collectively and individually with players.

"Bailey was the first one who was not happy with his first half. It's normal, he's 18, the first start at Ibrox, he's a lifelong fan. There is a certain tension around that.

"He's a player really I believe in. I don't give easy chances to 18-year-olds in a big European game or to start games like that."

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Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin is currently undergoing protocols for concussion but could still feature, while Lewis Neilson has recovered after coming off early on against St Mirren last Monday.

Craig Halkett (hamstring), Frankie Kent (quad) and Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) are out.

Rangers have no fresh injury problems. Danilo, Leon Balogun, Connor Barron, Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo have been sidelined in recent games.