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When Rangers fans look back on this season, there’s no doubt it will be remembered as one of frustration - though there has been shoots of recovery under interim boss Barry Ferguson recently.
Losing the Scottish League Cup final on penalties in December, the Glasgow giants are 13 points behind Celtic at the top of the table, and have already been dumped out of the Scottish Cup by second tier outfit Queen’s Park. However, they have booked a Europa League quarter final spot and achieved big wins over Celtic, Dundee and Kilmarnock domestically.
Off the pitch, a deal for 49ers Enterprises to takeover the club was reportedly agreed in principle earlier this month, and Rangers fans are hopeful that it can kick start the dawn of a new successful era. According to AI tool Grok, the 49ers owners would likely prioritize four key signings within budget, and sanction one big (£20M). It adds that they will look to blend youth and experience, alongside some fresh new faces.
They add Rangers lineup would likely aim to challenge Celtic domestically and hold its own in Europe, with the 49ers’ pragmatic, sustainable approach more likely than a flashy revolution. But what would Rangers’ starting XI look like come their first game of the season if the 49ers were to take the helm in Govan?
For a bit of fun, we decided to ask Grok what Rangers summer transfer windows and dream starting XI could look if the 49ers complete a takeover of the club in the coming months:
9. RW: Vaclav Cerny
Secured permanently for £5.5million from Wolfsburg, Cerny’s goals this season make him the attacking focal point. A marquee retention for the new era. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
10. LW: Joe Gelhardt
Linked to Rangers in January, the Leeds United forward would fit the 49ers remix of adding potential, though he also offers a good amount of senior experience despite being just 22. | Sunderland Echo Photo: Sunderland Echo
11. CF: Ali Al-Hamadi
The tool sees Ipswich Town striker Al-Hamadi as the £6million signing that can fire Rangers to glory. Grok believes his youth and hunger align with the 49ers’ Leeds model (e.g., Georginio Rutter), saying his signing would with in tune with the 49ers’ knack for finding value in England’s lower tiers. It also claims the club will look to move on Cyriel Dessers. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
12. Substitutes:
Grok believes the Rangers substitutes bench will look as follows: GK: Liam Kelly DF: Ridvan Yilmaz DF: Robin Propper MF: Bailey Rice FW: Hamza Igamane. FW: Danilo WG: Ross McCausland | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images