“I was aware…” – Pundit opens up on Donald Trump’s past links to the Rangers takeover.

With the San Francisco 49ers reaching an agreement in principle to purchase Rangers, Ally McCoist was asked about past links between the club and the President of the United States.

At the time, Donald Trump was not a politician but a billionaire businessman with global investments.

Despite speculation, the idea of him taking over Rangers never materialized.

McCoist acknowledged awareness of the rumors but never believed a deal was genuinely in motion.

He dismissed the speculation and instead spoke about Trump’s golf courses in Turnberry and Aberdeen.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, McCoist recalled: “I was aware of the rumors – I think my first sit-down board meeting would have been interesting.

“The one thing I would say about Trump – we can argue about his politics, we’ll probably agree on what we think about his politics and we can discuss it until the cows come home – but he knows how to run a golf course, I can tell you that!

“So forget everything else. If it’s anything to do with sport, his two golf courses north of the border, Turnberry and Trump International in Aberdeen, are nothing short of magnificent.

“But I wasn’t really conscious of the fact that the deal was anything like going to happen. I think they were just rumors.”

Rangers Avoided an Uncertain Era Under Trump

At the time of the rumored links, Trump was a high-profile businessman rather than a divisive political figure.

However, his lack of football expertise could have posed significant challenges.

McCoist acknowledged Trump’s skill in managing golf courses, but running a football club requires a completely different approach.

Success in football management involves strategic squad-building, fan engagement, and navigating the highly competitive Scottish game.

The speculation surrounding Trump’s supposed interest lacked credibility, with no clear indication of serious intent or a structured plan for the club.

This suggests that any involvement might have been more about publicity than a genuine effort to take over Rangers.

By contrast, the San Francisco 49ers’ current takeover presents a far more credible and promising future for the club.

Unlike Trump, the 49ers have a proven track record in sports management, with experience in the NFL and ownership of Leeds United.

Additionally, they bring significant financial resources, aligning with Rangers’ pressing needs—investment in the squad, infrastructure improvements, and a data-driven approach to competing with Celtic.

Had Trump taken over, there was a real risk of financial instability or mismanagement, given his history of prioritizing high-profile ventures over football-specific strategies.

Furthermore, his later political controversies might have created divisions within the fanbase.

McCoist’s lighthearted skepticism highlights the sense of relief that Rangers avoided an uncertain and potentially chaotic experiment.