The winds of change are sweeping through Ibrox once again, and at the centre of it all is Barry Ferguson. The club legend has stepped into the hot seat as Rangers’ interim manager until the end of the season. In his first press conference, Ferguson laid out his vision, expectations, and the immediate challenges he faces as he looks to steady the ship and reinvigorate the squad.
Swift Appointment and a Clear Mission
Ferguson admitted the past 48 hours had been a whirlwind, but he wasted no time accepting the role when the call came on Sunday. It took him just five minutes to agree to take over and another 12 hours to assemble his coaching team, which includes experienced figures Neil McCann, Billy Dodds, and Allan McGregor. The trio bring a mix of managerial experience, Rangers pedigree, and a strong presence in the dressing room—qualities Ferguson believes are vital for getting the players back on track.
Style and Expectations
With only one training session under his belt, Ferguson acknowledged the short turnaround but refused to use it as an excuse ahead of the Kilmarnock clash. His message to the players? Simple—win games and give everything on the pitch.
“I expect them to win. I expect them to give me everything they’ve got because that’s one thing I’ll give them,” he stated emphatically. The new boss has set the bar high, reinforcing that Rangers must embody energy, desire, and determination—qualities he feels have been missing in recent weeks.
A Formation Change Needed
We believe that Ferguson should switch to a 4-3-3 formation, breaking away from the 4-2-3-1 that Philippe Clement stuck to. This would help provide Raskin and Diomande with some much-needed support in the middle of the park, with Bailey Rice being our preferred addition to this area of the pitch.
Up front, we believe that we should be going with Hagi, Hamza Igamane, and Vaclav Cerny. Interestingly, Oscar Cortes was spotted in training. The young winger has been missing for large parts of the season due to injury. It would be great to see him getting some game time if fit. Cerny and Hagi have the positions at the moment, but some rotation would take the pressure off those two and help build up Cortes.
Despite being involved in two of the goals scored by St Mirren, Nsiala should continue in the back line.
Tavernier Retains the Armband
One of the immediate questions Ferguson addressed was the captaincy of James Tavernier. Despite recent scrutiny, he confirmed that Tavernier will continue as skipper, saying, “I have no doubt he will give me 100% to lead this club until the end of the season.” A clear vote of confidence in the right-back, Ferguson’s decision suggests stability rather than wholesale changes in the dressing room dynamic.
Rebuilding Confidence and Restoring Standards
Ferguson was candid about the squad’s struggles, noting the lack of confidence in recent performances against Queen’s Park and St Mirren. His first objective? Reignite belief and lift spirits. “I sensed it today—the place was bubbly, the players were energetic. That tells me they’re enjoying training. But there’s a serious side too; we’ll train hard and put demands on them.”
Restoring consistency in domestic competition is key, but Ferguson also recognised the bigger picture—Rangers are still in the Europa League and have a chance to make history. However, he stressed a game-by-game focus, starting with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Handling Criticism and Embracing the Challenge
When asked about his relative inexperience in management, Ferguson’s response was measured: “Judge me at the end of the three months. I have no issue with that. I know I’ll be judged game by game. That’s the nature of the beast at Rangers.”
His passion for the club is undeniable. Having grown up a Rangers supporter, captained the team, and now stepped into the manager’s role, Ferguson is relishing the challenge. “I wasn’t thinking about management, but when the call came, I wasn’t turning it down. I’m going to give everything I’ve got, and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Youth Development and Long-Term Vision
While Ferguson remains focused on the short-term, he hasn’t overlooked the future. He namechecked Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis as young players who have already stepped up, adding that the door remains open for any academy talent that proves themselves. “If they show enough in training, I have no issues playing them. It’s important this club always produces its own.”
The Immediate Test: Kilmarnock Away
Ferguson’s first task comes in the form of a tough away fixture against Kilmarnock, a side that has caused Rangers problems this season. But there is no hesitation in his approach: “We know what happened last time we went there. This needs to be a different Rangers team that turns up.”
His message to the players and fans is clear—expect energy, passion, and a team that fights for every result. Ferguson has three months to prove himself, and it all starts under the lights at Rugby Park.
The Barry Ferguson era begins—will he be the man to reignite Rangers’ season?