
Rangers fans get engaged at Ibrox on 'perfect' takeover day
The Rangers-daft pair were on a tour of the club's stadium today, Friday, May 30, as the news broke that the San Francisco 49ers Enterprise-led consortium was taking a 51% share in the club.
The Glasgow Times was outside the stadium today to hear fans' reactions and bumped into the pair who shared the happy news.
Emma Nicoll, 28, got down on one knee to propose to her now fiancé, Lynsey Downs, 34, next to the Ibrox pitch.
Lynsey, from Renfrew, said: "So, I've now got a fiancé - we got engaged today!
"Just at the tunnel and next to the pitch, so I'm pretty over the moon about that.
Lynsey, left, and Emma, right, were over the moon (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: 'We can go forward from here': Rangers fans at Ibrox 'excited' over takeover
"It's been 3 years and 9 months coming, and I could not be happier right now."
Emma, from Cardonald, said: "Rangers is our life. So I just felt it was the perfect setting to propose to my now-fiancé at our favourite place.
"So yeah, it's been the perfect day."
Lynsey added: "I'll remember it forever.
"So hopefully, things will change for the club, and things will change for us now as well. So it's fantastic news."
The pair's friend, Ryan Gormley, joined them on the tour (Image: Newsquest) The pair's friend, Ryan Gormley, 30, from Paisley, was on the tour with them.
Ryan had some warning but was still surprised by the proposal. He said: "I kind of knew it was happening, but it was still such a shock to see it actually happening.
"I'm so happy for the two of them, it's been such a great day all round."
They showed off the stunning engagement ring (Image: Newsquest) The trio also shared their thoughts on the news that the 49er-led group had taken over the club.
Lynsey said: "Yeah, I think it's great news. I think it will bring in a lot of new players.
"Hopefully, a great manager and things will start looking up for us because at the moment it's kind of a bit dreich, so hopefully it will get better."
READ MORE: Cost of Rangers takeover deal 'revealed' as US consortium lead new regime
Ryan said: "It will bring major investment to the team, whoever comes in and whoever comes out.
"Very positive, and here's hoping we can go forward from here."
Other fans had also flocked to the stadium and shared their thoughts.
Richard McKenzie, 62, from Kelvindale, said: "Oh, it's been a long time coming, but it's going to be a great thing for the club.
"I think the club's got to move forward, and I think this is a great opportunity for them to move forward, and I think they can build on some of the success they've had in the past and perhaps maybe catch up with other teams."
READ MORE: San Francisco 49ers message after Rangers takeover deal announced
Speaking about the £ 20million investment that's been pledged, Richard added: "Well, it's probably not enough, but we probably need to try and get some of that into the youth as well to try and bring our own players through. I think that's a good place to start."
Young fan from Govan, John Ferguson, 6, just came out of the shop with a new scarf. He said, "I'm excited."
When asked what he hopes to see the club do going forward, he said: "Score goals."
Alan Kennedy, 63, is originally from Possilpark but now lives in Canada. His four children all have Rangers tattoos and are big supporters of the club.
Alan said: "Very excited about it. Hopefully, a lot more investment in the club, get us some better players and start winning some trophies."
A statement from the club confirmed that the consortium was seeking a controlling stake, with sources close to the deal suggesting it would be finalised by June.
Key figures in the takeover include Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises and chairman of Leeds United, and American health tycoon Andrew Cavenagh, who has been a frequent visitor to Ibrox.
The completion of the deal, announced today, marks a new era for the club.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
I tried Gordon Ramsay's beef wellington at the Savoy
The first purpose-built deluxe hotel in London, The Savoy is still to this day the only 5-star hotel on the River Thames. A magnet for the wealthy, the famous, and the glamorous. Or so you thought. 'Cos I went last weekend. I've always loved a trip to London. The train down itself evokes a sense of excitement in me, but this trip surpassed all others. It was, without question, unforgettable in every way. On the Northbank of the River Thames, it is equidistant from the City of London, the world's financial capital, as well as the luxury thoroughfares of Knightsbridge and Mayfair. (Image: Newsquest) So, as I approached the grand entrance - as a man who often looks like he got dressed during a power cut - I was somewhat nervous at what lay ahead. Thankfully, I had the foresight to plan ahead, there would be no sartorial faux pas on this occasion. Ha! No sir. I wore jeans. Jokes aside, it honestly was quite nerve-wracking at first. My girlfriend and I had experienced Gordon Ramsay's food before, at his incredible restaurant in Manchester, but this was on another level. To the uninitiated, The Savoy is daunting. At first, you don't know how to act, whom to speak to, or even where to look. We were at least three social classes below the local stray cat. But then came along the concierge at the reception, who set the perfect tone for the evening. Charming, warm, friendly, and to put it plainly, nice, we were set at ease seconds upon crossing the threshold. All those preconceived emotions dissipated immediately, we simply gave in to the experience. And we were in for some ride. The inside of the Savoy screams elegance, yet somewhat delicately. Now, you might think, how? But it somehow manages it. Subtle, decadent, yet still retaining an incredible allure. We passed through a lounge, which had a feeling reminiscent of 1950's jazz bars, to get to our table. Right in the corner of The River Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay. Perfect. (Image: Newsquest) The view of the Thames was quickly forgotten by the sudden arrival of Ethan, our server for the night and Champagne, complimentary from the River Restaurant. I'm not one for bubbles, typically, but I could have had an entire bottle of this. After mulling over the menu (lord knows why, we had perused the online version weeks beforehand obsessively), we decided on a bottle of Chablis, the seafood platter for two, Gordon Ramsay's signature beef wellington, and the haddock in Champagne sauce. When. In. Rome. Ethan told us the wait for the seafood platter would be about half an hour, so he suggested we get some sides for the time being. Do not threaten us. We went for some malted sourdough and whipped taramasalata with cured scallop roe. In hindsight, this was a mistake. The Chablis and sides arrived promptly, and we tucked into both. I'll be totally honest, I'm not overly familiar with taramasalata, but it was a pure revelation with that sourdough bread and butter. However, we were in danger of filling up too quickly. Thankfully, my favourite white wine on the planet soothed our palates just in time for the showstopper, the seafood platter for two. Or as it should be styled, 'half of Brighton's seafront, on ice'. I gawped at what lay in front of me, staring open-mouthed at the mountain of Finding Nemo extras. Oysters, snails, cockles, clams, mussels, crevettes and deviled crab. For myself, the oysters complemented by the vinaigrette and Tabasco were a marriage made in heaven. The snails, on the other hand, a lonely singleton. Not for me. (Image: Newsquest) The mussels were equally moreish; they are perhaps my favourite fish of all, so to be edged out by the oysters is truly saying something. The prawns, the cockles and the clams were all equally delicious. It all tasted so incredibly fresh, like that half-hour wait was giving the chef ample time to go and catch them, just for us. Stunning. Where we sat felt special. Right in the corner where we could chat, drink amazing wine, and take in the incredible aura of the restaurant. 'Bury me here,' springs to mind. I do like a spot of people watching from time to time, so this best seat in the house gave us the perfect opportunity. Forgive everything I said earlier about this being a place solely for the ladies, lord's and aristocrats, it was a place for normal people wanting an unforgettable experience. An anniversary, a birthday, a celebration, the Savoy listens to what you want to get out of it and responds tremendously. But before I became lost in the moment, the next round of showstoppers was about to arrive. Gordon Ramsay's beef wellington is arguably one of the most famous dishes on the planet. From TikTok to YouTube, I've seen this dish recreated a thousand times, and the end result never ceases to amaze me. Aesthetically, it appears to be one of the most succulent things in the world. But I've never had the opportunity to see if the taste matches the look until now. As the plate approached my table, I had a flashback. Have you seen the Top Gear episode when Jeremy Clarkson arrives at camp with a cow on his roof? Yep, that's what it felt like. Imagine that cow in pastry. Georgia's haddock in Champagne sauce felt a little more delicate. Anyway, le verdict. Does it stand up to the hype? Yes, it does, in droves. (Image: Newsquest) The beef was cooked perfectly medium rare and cut through like butter, each mouthful felt more tender than the last. The accompanying red wine jus elevated the flavour of the beef to new levels; it was without doubt one of the best cuts of beef I've ever tasted. The haddock, word. I went in expecting the beef wellington to just blow me away, but that honour has to go to the haddock. The Champagne sauce had a hint of anise to it, which felt like a soothing Ouzo cuddle in the belly. Of the haddock itself, it was quite honestly one of the nicest things I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. It's called the River Restaurant for a reason, after all. After all this food, you're probably thinking, how can you possibly fit more in? Well, his beef wellington is probably just a touch more famous than his sticky toffee pudding. So we shared one. If this were to be our Mr Creosote moment, then so be it. It would've been worth it. Recommended reading: Gordon Ramsay's restaurant review: An incredible experience I visited the Grand Hotel in Birmingham and owe an apology REVIEW: Marco's New York Italian - a sad disappointment The Savoy's River Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be frank with you. I felt so lucky to be able to experience a place that lives up to the hype and more. Yes, ok, it's obviously going to be an expensive experience. You don't need me to tell you that. But if you want to visit somewhere for a special occasion that will truly give you a taste of the high life, then consider this top of your list. From the staff at reception to the waiters, sommeliers and chefs, it was a place that made you feel wealthy, famous, and glamorous, no matter your background


Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Kris Boyd shares insight to Rangers takeover as Davide Ancelotti becomes next manager favourite – plus a path to glory
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Americans have paid top dollar for Rangers. One financial expert claimed in this week's Scottish Sun that Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises will have forked out £110million. Now they will demand some bang for their buck. 2 New Rangers boardroom leader Andrew Cavenagh with ex-chairman John Gilligan Credit: PA 2 Ex-Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti is a leading contender for the Rangers job Credit: Getty Cavenagh spoke of his desire to win domestic honours, and compete deep into the latter stages of European competitions. He said everything Gers fans wanted to hear. But to do so, Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe must surround themselves with the right people in EVERY area. Sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially starts work this week coming, so I would expect a new head coach to be next through the front door at Ibrox — and within days. Davide Ancelotti is favourite, ahead of Russell Martin, after it became clear there would be no romantic return to the club for Steven Gerrard. I've already said the appointment of Ancelotti would be a gamble. But all managerial appointments come with an element of risk. Yes, he's worked for dad Carlo at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG and Napoli. But the buck stopped with the old man when things went wrong, and Ancelotti jnr was insulated from any criticism. That certainly won't be the case at Rangers. Ronald de Boer had played at Ajax and Barcelona before rolling up at Ibrox — and even he was astonished by the fierce scrutiny of everything that happens at Gers. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed Whoever comes in as head coach won't have the same autonomy over signings that was afforded to previous gaffers like Gerrard. Thelwell and the recruitment team have probably already identified areas that need strengthened, and the players they would like to strengthen them. If they haven't, they have not been doing their job. Ancelotti or Martin will have a say, but their main priority will be to coach those players — and deliver the results which Cavenagh craves. For me, Gers need seven or eight first-choice starters this summer, and Cavenagh has promised a £20m warchest. That still might not be enough to tick every box — but Rangers will have to get players in. They have already axed 19 this summer, from favourites like Ianis Hagi, to loan stars like Vaclav Cerny and kids like Adam Devine. There still remain huge question marks over some who remain — like Nedim Bajrami and Oscar Cortes. There are no bad players at Ibrox. But many have under-achieved time and again, and could have no complaints if they found themselves playing second fiddle to newcomers next term. The new season is not far away, with the Premiership fixtures due out on June 20, and a Champions League qualifier on July 22 or 23. The new era is certain to start away from Ibrox, with champions Celtic enjoying flag day at Parkhead at the start of August. It could be a tough one. Remember Dick Advocaat and Ange Postecoglou losing at Tynecastle on their first days in the job? Mind you, both did win the league. The new Gers boss will be hoping for the same outcome, and a tough away opener will give him the chance to lay down a marker and hint at better times ahead. Gers have not struggled against Celtic in recent times. They have had back-to-back wins and a draw in the league, after the penalty shootout heartache in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden last year. But too often they have fallen short at St Mirren, Dundee, Kilmarnock or Aberdeen. Never mind Cavenagh's cash — they should have had more than enough of a financial advantage in previous seasons to see off the rest. Now Gers must build a squad capable of swatting aside the others, and taking their chances in the Old Firm head-to-heads. And they do need a squad. I go back to the 2008 Uefa Cup final run, when Walter Smith had one team for Europe, and virtually another for league games. Lee McCulloch and Charlie Adam used to go daft when they were dumped on the bench after returning from Thursday night Euro ties. Celts showed they have two teams when they made all those changes at Pittodrie before the rematch with Aberdeen in the Cup final. Gers must emulate that strength in depth. I expect a flurry of transfer activity now. I genuinely don't think the gap between the big two is even that wide. Yes, Celts won the title by 17 points, but if Rangers can start to handle the games which have tripped them up in recent times, the gap can close. I'm not making excuses for Gers. They simply haven't been good enough. But now it's got real because Cavenagh and Co are here for the long haul. They are people of real financial acumen, and they will want to see Gers perform in the Champions League. That's still a million miles away. For now, they need to focus on the bread and butter of domestic action. The new sporting director, new head coach, and new players, must put in total effort every single day. Because guess what? That's what Celtic have done in 13 of the 14 last seasons. They have battled to late goals, dramatic wins and everything that needs to do be done to win a title — with hard work and everyone pulling in the same direction. I'm excited for the new season because the top five will all be beaming. Gers have new investment, so too do Hearts after Tony Bloom's £10m cash injection. Aberdeen will feel great after the Cup final win, and likewise Hibs, after their third place finish. And, of course, Celts will rightly start as favourites after landing another title and the Premier Sports Cup. Some of their fans refused to believe this American dream would ever come true for Rangers. They claimed Cavenagh was going from the Land of the Free to the land of the free transfers. But this fistful of dollars has made it all feel very real. So, have a nice day, y'all... Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page


Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Andrew Cavenagh and Tony Bloom are bona-fide game changers for Rangers and Hearts... and their arrivals will put far more pressure on Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment at Celtic, writes GARY KEOWN
For all this has been a week of momentous change at both Rangers and Hearts, the cleverest of the clever money has still got to be on Celtic to hold onto their position as champions next season. They've got fortunes in the bank, a number of sellable assets, an established infrastructure, the prospect of further Champions League riches should they negotiate a play-off against unseeded opposition. Everything remains firmly in their favour.