AliousLeeds United Icon Teases Celtic Jibe as Rangers Takeover Looms – Reveals Insightful Talks with 49ers Boss Marathe
Leeds United legend Eddie Gray, a revered figure at Elland Road and lifelong Celtic fan, is bracing for a cheeky nod to his Scottish roots as the 49ers Enterprises edge closer to a takeover at Rangers. Despite dedicating his entire professional playing career to Leeds and later managing the club, Gray’s heart still beats green and white – and he’s preparing to show it.
With Paraag Marathe, chairman of Leeds United and a key figure in the 49ers investment group, recently holding talks in Glasgow over acquiring a stake in Rangers, Gray admitted he hasn’t been directly involved in discussions. However, he couldn’t resist a bit of light-hearted banter, telling *The Scottish Sun*: “No, but when it happens, I’ll probably walk in here with my green and white scarf on!”
Though joking about his allegiance to Celtic, Gray praised Marathe for his business acumen and leadership, describing him as “astute” and “a nice fella,” and noted the professionalism and enthusiasm the 49ers have brought to Leeds. Gray and his wife are frequent guests in the club’s boardroom and have seen firsthand the ambition and energy the American investors have injected into the club.
Gray views the potential Rangers acquisition as a positive move for both football institutions, stating that while it’s still early days, the signs are promising for mutual progress.
Looking ahead to Leeds United’s return to the Premier League under 49ers stewardship, Gray emphasized that now is the moment for the investors to truly prove their mettle. “This is where we’ll find out now when we move into the big league,” he said. “We’ve done well in the Championship, but stepping up is when you learn what real investment looks like.”
Recalling the glory years when Leeds regularly competed in European tournaments and won major trophies, Gray hopes the club can recapture those heights. With proper backing, he believes Leeds can once again become a force in English and European football.
In the meantime, as the 49ers’ influence expands across the border, Gray’s playful nod to Celtic serves as a reminder that club loyalty – and rivalries – never fade, no matter where your career takes you.
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