Ashley to have 9% of Rangers' shares

This is very interesting and this could shed some light onto Ashley's plans for Newcastle.

Having a block of shares in Rangers and also allow them to take nine players on loan means that this could a good apprenticeship for a lot of younger players. Though I have never been a fan of Ashley I have to admit that this could well be a piece of imaginative thinking.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19225698

Rangers: Newcastle's Mike Ashley ready to buy Ibrox share

Rangers will be able to borrow as many as nine Newcastle players in a deal that will see Magpies owner Mike Ashley buy a share in the Ibrox club.

The Scottish FA is ready to ratify the move on the condition that Ashley owns no more than 10% of Rangers and has no personal role in running the club.

Ashley's Sports Direct firm will then take over Rangers' replica kit merchandising operation.

Negotiations are under way with JJB Sports to end their retailing contract.

JJB Sports and Rangers entered a 10-year merchandising contract in 2006, when the Glasgow club received an initial payment of £18m with a guaranteed minimum annual royalty of £3m.

Any Newcastle players switching to Rangers on loan would need to do so before the end of this month, when a year-long signing embargo comes into place for the Scottish Division Three club.

In February Rangers went into administration owing up to £134m to unsecured creditors. As a result its registrations with the Scottish FA and Scottish Premier League were terminated.

Businessman Charles Green led a consortium to buy Rangers' assets for £5.5m and reformed the club as a new company.

But the 'newco' did not get the required votes for re-admittance to the SPL and instead, the new Rangers were relegated to Division Three, drawing 2-2 with Peterhead in their opening game.

Under the terms of the agreement with Newcastle, Rangers are also likely to play the Magpies in a friendly.

Ashley assumed control of Newcastle in 2007, spending £134m in the process.

Ibrox chief executive Charles Green hopes to announce other new investors in the club shortly. ​

 

Never thought about it like that, Rangers would be a decent feeder club for us. Although I think he's only buying a share in them to have the exclusive rights to sell Rangers shirts at SD.

 

Rangers will be able to borrow as many as nine Newcastle players in a deal that will see Magpies owner Mike Ashley buy a share in the Ibrox club.

and where do they think we have the strength in depth to cover that lot,
(unless they are lending out our under 18's)

 

Without being disrespectful to the Scottish lower tiers, what level difference would there be between them and our reserve level? So what would our players gain from going on loan?

 

Would be more worth while loaning players to Gateshead, better quality league.

Suppose only good point would be playing in a big stadium.

 

Looks a good deal for Sports Direct and given a few years till Rangers are back in the SPL it will have been a good deal for Mike Ashley as his shares will be worth way over what hes paying for them now so all round good business for him.
As for us, having something of a feeder club would be a good thing in similar fashion to the deal between Manure and Antwerp.
No complaints from me.

 

So he bought Newcastle for the same amount as Rangers owed, coincidence?

 

It might be better for ifto loan all our players to one club, then they can still play together and gel as a team

 

Meant to say all

 

"us to" ffs. stupid phone

 

Never mind investing in bloody Rangers, what about the fact that we are still woefully short of strength in depth and the new season is all but upon us.
Personally l know it is his money to do with what he likes, but l really think we are going to struggle when the going gets tough.

 

Good move, give some of the young lads experience in a different league. Might not be that good of a league but rangers is a massive club and they will get used to being expected to win.

 

Well, if we can send our reserves and youngsters out on loan there, then fair enough.,

 

Would be a good option to have loan wise. They'll get great facilities and well looked after.