Rangers vice-chairman Paraag Marathe has conceded that 49ers Enterprises have had to adopt a "short-term" plan for Rangers to push Celtic for the title.
Marathe is also chairman at Leeds United, who are owned by the investment wing of the NFL giants, who are currently flying high in the Premier League. He has noted the difference between the two clubs, with the demand for silverware and success at Ibrox impacting on the American vision for the Glasgow giants.
Established in the Scottish Premiership
Speaking at Leaders In Sport's 'Leaders Week' conference, Marathe said: "In Glasgow, with Rangers, it's a little bit different [to Leeds in the Premier League], because we are established in the Scottish Premiership."
"So, for that it is, ironically, even less about the long-term planning and more about what do we need to do to win the league, what do we need to do to beat Celtic? Because it's usually one of the two of us. That is actually, interestingly and ironically, a little bit more short-term because we are a bit more established."
Managing Jeopardy at Leeds
Marathe noted that the situation at Elland Road is "more complicated" with the decision-makers having to weigh up the possibility of relegation to the English Championship. "We are just thinking about how we get there the following year. In Leeds, it's a bit more complicated because you have to manage the jeopardy and the consequence that exists in that bottom half of the Premier League, top quartile of the Championship," he added.
Marathe also concedes it has been a reality check to be involved in football in Europe after coming in from the San Francisco 49ers. He said: "It is a fascinating difference between American sports and European football, because of the amount of jeopardy involved with promotion and relegation."
Contrast with American Sports
"In my 25 years at the 49ers it was very strategic to be thinking long-term, building a new stadium and planning for what the future is going to look like because in the worst case scenario if you finish 2 and 14 you get awarded the number one pick in the draft. So, at some point in a season it turns and you are probably OK with getting that number one pick, because you are going to reset your franchise," he stated.
