Celtic’s Grip Unshaken: Murray Sounds Alarm on Rangers’ Rebuild
Murray’s reappearance comes at a time of massive upheaval and renewed ambition at Ibrox. During the years in which he kept silent and out of sight, Celtic ruthlessly asserted their dominance, sweeping up trophies with barely a meaningful challenge from their oldest rivals. Rangers, in Murray’s absence, endured humiliation, financial ruin, and a humiliating plummet down the leagues while Celtic thrived, building one of the most successful eras in their proud history.
Now, however, a fresh wave of optimism is gathering around Rangers. The influential American investment group, the San Francisco 49ers, have taken an active interest in the club’s fortunes, bringing new financial muscle and a modern sports-business perspective. With Russell Martin newly appointed as manager, Rangers are looking to mount a serious assault on Celtic’s seemingly unshakeable reign, aiming to prevent Brendan Rodgers and his side from securing what would be the 56th top-flight league crown next season.
But Murray, ever the cautious voice of experience, has a word of warning for those expecting miracles. Speaking to Jim White, the former Rangers owner laid bare his concerns about the scale of the challenge and reminded everyone just how much work remains to be done if Rangers are to truly match Celtic’s formidable standing.
Reflecting on Rodgers’ recent achievements, Murray was clear about the size of the mountain Rangers still have to climb. Since his dramatic return to Celtic Park in the summer of 2023, Brendan Rodgers has collected four trophies, only narrowly missing out on another treble last season. Over the past 15 seasons, Celtic have claimed the league title 14 times, a staggering period of dominance that few in Scottish football can remember being rivalled. 
Murray pointed out that such a well-oiled machine is unlikely to be easily halted, even with the new American investment. “People need to understand this will not be a quick turnaround,” he cautioned. “It’s a three- to five-year project at minimum. The 49ers are shrewd and experienced business people, and I wish them well, but they are going to need time to rebuild, to establish the foundations, to get Rangers truly competitive again.”
Pressed by Jim White on whether Rangers had perhaps lost some of their core Scottish identity over the years, especially compared to Celtic, who boast a Scottish captain in Callum McGregor and a strong local presence in their squad, Murray did not hold back. “Of course they’re a Scottish club, and they should reflect that,” he argued. “A lot of clubs have lost their Scottish roots in pursuit of quick fixes and foreign talent, but you need a Scottish core in Scotland if you want to really connect with the fans and succeed. Rangers have allowed that to slip, and it’s something they need to address going forward.”
On the £20 million investment reported to be arriving from the 49ers, Murray was again measured in his optimism. “I don’t know exactly where that money is going to be spent,” he admitted, “but I hope it is invested wisely and with a long-term plan in mind. I’m sure they are smart enough to do that, but supporters need to stay patient. Things won’t change overnight.”
After Murray’s official exit from the Ibrox boardroom, Rangers famously plummeted through the divisions, forced to rebuild from the bottom of the Scottish pyramid. By the time they clawed their way back to the Premiership, Celtic had established such a stronghold that even Rangers’ eventual return could do little to stem the green-and-white tide. In fact, since Rangers’ reemergence, Celtic have claimed more trebles than Rangers have won league titles, underlining the scale of the imbalance.
Murray’s concerns are rooted in that harsh reality. While Rangers have improved since their dark days, Celtic’s consistency, depth, and winning culture under Rodgers continue to make them formidable opponents. With a squad brimming with experience and a manager who knows how to deliver silverware, the Celtic machine shows no sign of stalling any time soon.
As the next season approaches, Rangers’ supporters will dare to dream that the arrival of the 49ers, a new manager, and fresh ambition will finally shift the balance of power. But David Murray, who once oversaw Rangers in their own period of dominance, knows better than most how challenging it will be to unseat a club as entrenched and successful as Celtic have become. His message is simple: be patient, plan carefully, and prepare for a long fight because Celtic are not about to step aside without a fierce battle.
