The prospective new Ibrox owners are clearly not serious about challenging Celtic, because hiring Steven Gerrard will end any challenge before it’s even begun
Eric Knott 
(Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Over the last few days, a lot of people have been challenging me about my terminology for the proposed takeover at Ibrox.
They say that I keep changing it from the Fakeover to the takeover, and that one minute I’m saying it’s happening and the next, I’m not.
So, I’m going to set the record straight.
There is no doubting something is happening at Ibrox.
The end result of what is happening remains to be seen, but something IS happening.
Consistent delays, and consistent changes in the timeline would indicate its nowhere near as straightforward as anyone thinks.
So, for those of you who don’t really get it, I’ll simplify it:
Fakeover = Sugar Daddy, showering limitless millions on the Ibrox club and signing the likes of Kylan Mbappe.
Takeover = An American consortium, led by Andrew Cavenagh, attempting to secure a 51% stakeholding in the club, with a view to eventually securing a controlling interest in the club.
The takeover has NOT happened as yet.
So therefore, it’s as you were at Ibrox.
There is a hell of a lot of shit to sift through at Ibrox before anything can happen.
I gave a small example in Saturday’s article, by asking if the Ibrox side has even paid back the £3.2 million loan the government supplied them with during Covid?
While I have no problem quoting it as a takeover, because that IS what the American consortium are attempting to do, I will never treat it as something that is anywhere near complete, because it’s not.
The Fakeover, on the other hand, is the terminology I use to ridicule the Gullibillies’ belief that an American magic wand is going to fix all of the financial problems at Ibrox, and suddenly make them competitive with Celtic.
It’s the stuff of fantasy.
Total La La Land lunacy.
Which brings me nicely along to the main thrust of today’s piece.
The papers are full of feel good Ibrox stories today.
They have to be after Celtic wrapped up the title at Tannadice on Saturday.
The whole takeover talks will go into overdrive now.
Everything to do with it will be analysed to nth degree.
Down to when Andrew Cavenagh farts or takes a dump.
Nothing else matters now.
The future of Scottish football hinges totally on this takeover.
Or at least that’s what you’d be led to believe by the media.
Red Bull are waiting in the wings to give the Ibrox side wings.
According to an especiales repuerta today the Record, the energy drinks giant will be the Ibrox side’s next sponsor.
Just because they’re Leeds sponsors, they’re now expected to be the Ibrox side’s sponsors.
But above all else, momentum is gathering on odds on favourite, Steven Gerrard, becoming the next Ibrox manager.
Not because he’s any good at football management.
But because he gets it.
And he got it, by winning the Covd title in 2021.
If the Americans are serious about this takeover, which clearly they’re not if Gerrard is the favoured candidate for the manager’s position, then they would steer a mile clear of him.
His CV is a litany of failures since he left Ibrox.
Gerrard was found out very quickly at Villa Park, and then he couldn’t even make it in the cash rich Saudi Pro League with Al-Ettifaq.
The ideal environment for a cheque book manager like Gerrard.
He was replaced by Saed Al-Sheri.
The Saudi side trusted one of their own more than they trusted him to do the job.
Doesn’t exactly speak volumes about Gerrard’s managerial abilities, does it?
Is this the man the Americans believe can lead their revolution at Ibrox?
Because if it is, it’s already over before it’s begun.
For another year or two, at least.
Until the usual cycle happens, and the next guy, saviour, managerial genius, whatever, comes in to turn things around.
Brendan Rodgers confirmed categorically that he would be at Celtic for the entirety of next season.
He then confirmed to Chris Sutton he’d certainly like to extend his contract.
Brendan Rodgers is an extremely competitive football manager.
He is currently in a non-competitive league.
Ironically, if there is one man out there who would welcome this takeover with open arms, it’s Brendan Rodgers.
Simply because he NEEDS a challenge to keep him stimulated.
Even though he says he’s only concerned with what happens at Celtic, I’m sure he has an eye on what’s happening at Ibrox.
Because whatever challenge comes out of there, you can be guaranteed he’ll be determined to rise to it.
To prove that no matter what they do, he can do better.
If Steven Gerrard is the man the prospective Ibrox Hierarchy think can do better than Brendan Rodgers, then I’m afraid they’re sorely mistaken.
Simply look at Gerrard’s record, and then look at Rodgers’.
There is no comparison.
In fact I’m sure Brendan Rodgers would not see Gerrard’s arrival at Ibrox as any kind of challenge.
Because deep down Rodgers knows if he had not gone to Leicester he would be immortal now.
There is no doubting had he stayed at Celtic, he would have delivered 10IAR.
Gerrard would not have stopped that.
But hindsight now, especially for Rodgers, is a fool’s version of foresight.
I doubt he regrets his move to Leicester because relationships had broken down at Celtic Park.
Right now, he is building something special at Celtic Park.
And who knows?
Maybe he is thinking of 10IAR and immortality?
Maybe he is thinking of what it would be like to achieve that against a serious Ibrox operation?
But if they begin with Steven Gerrard as the leader of the new dawning at Ibrox, well, they’re setting it back another two to three years, at least.
Personally, I’d be delighted to see Gerrard back there as manager.
Because I don’t fear what he’d bring to the table, or the lack thereof.
Brendan Rodgers on the other hand?
I’m sure he’d love to pit his wits against the likes of Marco Rose, or Jose Mourinho.
Steven Gerrard, to him, would be like a cat toying with a mouse.
So yeah, by all means, let them bring in Gerrard.
I welcome it.
Every Celtic fan would welcome it.
I just don’t think Brendan Rodgers would be very intimidated by it.
In fact, I’m sure he’d be disappointed.
Not like Captain Disappointed.
But you catch my drift?
Don’t you?
Eric,
At the very least credit your audience with the ability to read your articles.i suggest you go read them again.
Several times you have claimed the takeover/fakeover won’t happen and that it was all designed to sell season tickets.
As I have commented several times I don’t care as my only focus is my own club.
There’s a very simple answer to your conundrum Stevie, if your only focus is your own club, then read the sites that only talk about Celtic. I will never stop talking about our rivals, simply because I want to highlight the bullshit that goes on over there. I’m not asking you to read my articles, that ultimately, is your choice.
“Fakeover = Sugar Daddy, showering limitless millions on the Ibrox club and signing the likes of Kylan Mbappe.
Takeover = An American consortium, led by Andrew Cavenagh, attempting to secure a 51% stakeholding in the club, with a view to eventually securing a controlling interest in the club.”
Just affix it as a sub headline from now on and it’ll save you a headache!
Now to my serious point. I really think hibs and (maybe less so) aberdeen have a proper chance of giving them a real push for second next year, and maybe in hibs case, give us something to think about if they can show the consistency over thw qhole season. If Gerard does come back those chances go up considerably, he’s just barry ferguson with a better playing record.
Surely Gerrard can’t take any more beatings to his rep as a football coach by re-joining theRangers ? What would be the point ? He would be promised the earth for transfer funds and then when his brogues have softened around his heels , it’ll be the same old ” funds are a bit on the tight side ” excuses from his bosses ! Not only that ..Brendan Rodgers would have ‘ Gerro ‘ tucked away in his back pocket for safe keeping during his second tenure inside Ibroxland. The Scouser is not smart but he certainly is not that stupid ..either . How much of an ‘ upper ‘dosage would be required to be ingested into himself if Gerrard is installed as the new head coach …again ? Because if he is to accept a second try at success in Govanlandia..he must surely be on drugs of a sort ..don’t you think ?
I’m afraid he would follow follow the money, John. ££ + Stupidity = Infinite Stupidity😂
Eric,
You never acknowledged the point I made.
To be fair it’s probably hard to admit your wrong after two months of the it’s only to sell season tickets line.
It’s the brass necked change of direction that irritates me.
I often wonder what you would find to write about if it weren’t for the mob across the city or a transfer window not going at the pace that you desire.
You seem to be a decent courteous individual nonetheless however I agree that for the foreseeable future I’m out.
I’ve been following this ” world exclusive ” nonsense since Keith Jackson announced it. Without being too political on the subject, I’ve never believed a single word the Daily Record has printed since the 2014 Scottish independence referendum ” VOW “. They know they can sell anything to the most gullible in scottish society and will do anything to keep their readership glued to a paper that I wouldn’t even use to wrap my chips in. The British fascists in Scotland have once again been duped into thinking they’ll be great again, when infact, they’ve never been great. There is no takeover. There is no investment. There is no way out of the hole they find themselves in. The world exclusive was a means of keeping the lights on, that’s it.