David Murray has issued a serious warning about the 49ers’ investment at Rangers—and the threat it could pose to Celtic’s dominance. His comments should not be ignored.

David Murray Warns Rangers Fans: ‘Be Patient’ as 49ers Back New Push to Catch Celtic

After years of being off the radar, former Rangers owner David Murray has stepped back into the public eye — not just to sell his new book, but to issue a sober warning to the Ibrox faithful. With the San Francisco 49ers investment group now onboard and Russell Martin leading the new charge, Rangers are trying once again to close the gap on arch-rivals Celtic. But Murray insists this revival will need time, realism and, crucially, a stronger Scottish identity at the club’s core.

Celtic’s dominance since Murray’s departure in 2011 has been near total. The Parkhead club have lifted 28 trophies in that time, compared to Rangers’ three, and Brendan Rodgers shows no signs of loosening his grip on domestic silverware. Since returning to Celtic in 2023, Rodgers has added four more trophies, narrowly missing out on a domestic Treble last term.

Murray, who famously bankrolled Rangers’ dominance in the late 1990s and early 2000s, spoke frankly when asked about what it will take for the Ibrox side to claw back that supremacy.

Speaking to Jim White, he said: “I think the fans will have to be patient. This won’t be a three-month plan. This will be a three-five-year plan. These are astute businessmen who will take the club to a base level.”

The 49ers Enterprise group has reportedly committed £20 million to help build Rangers back into credible title contenders. But Murray, ever the pragmatist, questioned whether such a figure would make an immediate dent given the scale of Celtic’s advantage.

“They are putting £20 million in. I don’t know where that £20 million is going to go. I wish them well. I am sure that they are shrewd business people. I don’t think it’s going to happen as quickly as people would hope.”

One area he believes the club must fix is its identity. With Celtic’s captain Callum McGregor leading a strong homegrown core, Murray feels Rangers have lost touch with their Scottish roots.

“Obviously, because they are a Scottish club. A lot of clubs have lost that. You need a Scottish core in Scotland, and Rangers seem to have lost that.”

It’s a point many older fans will find familiar — that the club’s historic success was built not just on foreign talent, but on a backbone of Scottish players who understood the demands of Ibrox.

With the new investment, new manager and new backroom vision, Rangers hope to finally mount a serious challenge to Celtic’s stranglehold. But as Murray’s comments underline, the gap is measured in years, not months.

In the meantime, Rodgers’ men continue to sweep all before them. As the new Premiership season approaches, the pressure on Rangers to show tangible progress will be huge. Whether the 49ers’ American muscle and Martin’s ideas can deliver remains to be seen — but patience, Murray insists, must come first.