Rangers supporters hoping to see the back of Castore permanently have received some thoroughly disappointing news. Despite the arrival of the 49ers and their ambitious commercial plans, the club remains tied to a deeply unpopular agreement until 2030. Worse still, Castore branding will return to Rangers shirts next season, replacing Umbro.

Marathe’s damning verdict

At the August shareholder meeting, Paraag Marathe delivered a scathing assessment of the arrangement inherited from the previous Rangers board.

“We would not have done that deal. It is almost unheard of to have a contract that long.”

That is a remarkable condemnation from one of the leading figures behind Rangers’ American takeover.

Indeed, Marathe effectively admitted that the previous administration had saddled the club with a commercial commitment that the new owners would never have entertained.

The original agreement began in 2020, but Rangers extended it in 2023, committing the club until 2030.

Consequently, the 49ers inherited seven years of contractual obligations with a manufacturer whose Rangers merchandise has hardly inspired universal admiration.

Supporter meeting confirms the bad news

Stevie Clifford of Four Lads Had A Dream subsequently revealed further details following the October supporter meeting.

“On Castore and commercial opportunities, the current Castore deal has three years remaining and the club’s shirts and training wear will return to the Castore brand from Umbro next season.”

He also reported that relations between Rangers and Castore were improving, with potential commercial ventures under discussion.

However, that hardly addresses the fundamental problem.

Rangers remain contractually committed to a partnership that their own ownership has publicly questioned.

Furthermore, there appears little prospect of an early escape.

Rangers deserve considerably better

Castore’s Rangers merchandise has hardly established itself as a benchmark for quality, imagination or value.

Indeed, supporters have repeatedly criticised the manufacturer’s offerings, whether concerning uninspiring designs, questionable quality or the general standard of merchandise.

For a club of Rangers’ stature, this simply is not good enough.

The Rangers brand should attract serious competition from established global manufacturers. Instead, the club finds itself committed to a deal that its own hierarchy regards as commercially undesirable.

Moreover, the return of Castore branding after the temporary Umbro arrangement hardly represents progress.

It feels like another reminder of the previous board’s questionable decision making.

Another legacy problem for the 49ers

Andrew Cavenagh and his colleagues have inherited numerous challenges since taking control at Ibrox.

However, few illustrate the limitations imposed by previous decisions quite like this contract.

Rangers cannot properly explore alternative kit manufacturers while the existing agreement remains in force.

Therefore, supporters face several more seasons of a partnership that has failed to impress.

Ultimately, the most damning assessment came from Marathe himself.

The new owners would never have signed this deal.

Yet Rangers remain stuck with it until 2030.