Rangers To Use 49ers Connection To Sign This 26-Year-Old: Will He Solve Their Problem?

Rangers To Use 49ers Connection To Sign This 26-Year-Old: Will He Solve Their Problem?

Rangers’ 2025-26 season has been all about the club finding their feet again. Under Danny Röhl, who stepped in this October after Russell Martin’s early exit, things at Ibrox have calmed down a lot. They’re currently sitting second in the Scottish Premiership with 69 points from 33 games, and are still chasing Hearts at the top. Moving from eighth place to a title scrap is a massive credit to Röhl’s impact. However, just steadying the ship isn’t enough for a club like Rangers, and as the summer window gets closer, the big question remains: where are the goals going to come from?

Wyness believes the Piroe link is more than idle speculation

That question is getting more interesting by the week, especially with a potential direct line opening up between Ibrox and Elland Road. Speaking to Football Insider, Keith Wyness, the former CEO at Aberdeen, Everton, and Aston Villa, suggested there’s a real chance Joel Piroe moves from Leeds United to Rangers this summer. The deal would be made a lot easier by the fact that 49ers Enterprises has a stake in both clubs.

Wyness admitted that nothing is set in stone yet, but he expects things to heat up once the summer window opens. He sees Piroe as a move that works for everyone; if Leeds have too many options in that position and Rangers are short on quality, the deal is straightforward. Looking at the stats, it’s hard to argue. Piroe hasn’t managed a goal or an assist in the Premier League this year, playing only 217 minutes with a poor 6.02 FotMob rating. Leeds likely wouldn’t think twice about letting him move on.

“Nothing has really happened in terms of the Leeds and Rangers connection yet, but this could be the window where something happens.

“There’s one or two potential players that Rangers and Leeds should be starting to look at, that make sense and are a benefit to both clubs. Piroe is one that I think could well be a potential to go.

“If it fits both clubs that, Leeds feel they’re oversupplied in that area and Rangers think that they’re undersupplied in that area, then it could be done quite easily, and it should be done quite easily.

“That [Piroe to Rangers] is one that has big potential of working. If not that one, there’ll be something happening this summer in that sort of connection.”

Would Piroe actually solve Rangers’ problem?

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Joel Piroe of Leeds United in action during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between West Ham United and Leeds United on April 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

I feel that he likely would, provided Rangers use him right. Piroe is a tidy finisher who has already proven he can score in the Championship. Even at its toughest, the Scottish Premiership won’t offer the same level of defensive pressure as the English top flight. On top of that, Röhl’s tactical setup needs a striker who can link the play and get involved in the buildup, which is exactly what Piroe does best.

The 49ers connection is more than just a nice coincidence here; these kinds of co-ownership links let clubs move players for sensible fees instead of overpaying on the open market. Rangers are desperate for goals and can’t afford to sit on their hands this summer. Piroe is available, fits the budget, and has the quality, thus making him the exact kind of smart signing the club need to get over the line.