Alious
The long-anticipated Rangers takeover by the American-led 49ers Enterprises consortium, which includes health insurance mogul Andrew Kavanagh, remains under wraps — and some believe it’s not by chance. With Celtic on the cusp of completing a domestic treble, speculation is growing that the timing of the announcement is being carefully considered to counterbalance their rivals’ success.
Former Rangers star Craig Moore has voiced a theory suggesting the new ownership group may be strategically delaying their official reveal to hijack headlines from Celtic’s moment of glory. With Brendan Rodgers’ side set to face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final, a win would seal five major trophies from a possible six since the manager’s return.
Moore floated the idea on Go Radio, hinting that media optics could be behind the silence: “Maybe they want to wait and try to wash away certain Celtic news… But I just want accountability now. No smokes and mirrors — get it done and get to work.”
This takeover theory comes at a crucial time for Rangers, who have already begun a major squad rebuild. With a new manager hunt underway and sporting director Kevin Thelwell stepping in, the Ibrox club is bracing for transformation. This week, Rangers confirmed that Ianis Hagi, Leon Balogun, and Tom Lawrence will leave the club at the end of their contracts. Loan players Vaclav Cerny, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, and Rafael Fernandes will also return to their parent clubs.
Ianis Hagi’s departure marks the end of an era. Since arriving on loan in January 2020 and later joining permanently, the Romanian midfielder has contributed significantly across 130 appearances — including a memorable brace against Braga in the Europa League, vital goals in the title-winning 2020–21 campaign, and an Old Firm strike earlier this year.
While the rebuild signals a fresh chapter for Rangers, fans are eager for clarity on the club’s direction. As Celtic aim for a historic treble, all eyes remain on whether the 49ers’ announcement will emerge as a tactical counterpunch — or if the silence simply reflects deeper uncertainties behind the scenes.
Alious
