Despite relinquishing his vice-chairman role at Ibrox in February, Paraag Marathe says his commitment to Rangers has not diminished in the slightest.
The 49ers Enterprises supremo stepped down from the Rangers board following discussions with UEFA regarding multi-club ownership regulations that govern clubs under common investment.
Fellow director Gene Schneur also relinquished his position on the Gers board at the same time, prompting questions about the future of American investment at the club.
Rangers moved quickly to clarify that the departures would have no impact on the US investment group’s financial backing of the club going forward.
The club also confirmed it had no plans to replace Marathe, who had been working under Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh during his tenure on the board.
Speaking to The Yorkshire Evening Post, Marathe was direct about the level of influence he continues to hold at Ibrox despite no longer holding an official title.
“Same involvement. Very, very involved. I’m very interested, I’m very passionate about it. Also, there was the MCO rules, things that sort of prevented official board status for the moment, and that could change back too. But very much still involved the same.”
Marathe also revealed his enthusiasm for player movement between Rangers and fellow 49ers Enterprises-owned club Leeds United, suggesting such transfers could benefit all parties involved.
He explained: “Definitely, because we can maybe help influence the players’ opportunity and ability to play.”
He added that shared knowledge between the clubs would give any such transfer greater depth and context than a standard deal conducted at arm’s length.
“Make sure we know the system fits, make sure we know the medical performance side is good for him, the coach, because we have more knowledge of it all, as opposed to sending a player off and not knowing how it’s [going to look].”
Marathe was careful to stress that any player movement between the two clubs would need to suit all three parties involved, including the player himself.
“But ultimately it also takes three [willing parties] – the player has to want to go the other club, we’re not forcing just because we’re part of both clubs, operating both clubs, we’re not forcing a player to, or forcing the other club to take him.”
He acknowledged that near-miss transfer opportunities had already arisen between the clubs, though player reluctance had ultimately blocked those deals from materialising.
“There were one or two opportunities last season that would have made sense, but in the end the player didn’t want to go.”
Despite those setbacks, Marathe remains optimistic that a cross-club transfer will eventually happen, saying: “But there could have been an opportunity, and hopefully, or maybe there is one in the future too.”
Rangers were heavily linked with Leeds striker Joel Piroe during the January window, with Old Firm rivals Celtic also reported to have held an interest in the Dutch forward at that time.
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