Barry Ferguson blasts ‘ridiculous’ claims about new Rangers star Aaron Ramsey
Barry Ferguson feels it’s “ridiculous” for anyone to suggest that signing Aaron Ramsey was a waste of money for Rangers.
Ramsey, 31, joined the Gers on loan from Juventus on transfer deadline day last week and has since played as a substitute in wins over both Hearts and Hibernian.
The Wales midfielder had barely played this season at Juve so it’s taking some time for him to find his match fitness.
Based on the little game-time he’s had since joining, there have been suggestions – mainly from the other side of the Old Firm divide – that signing Ramsey has been a waste.
But ex-Gers star Ferguson isn’t having that for a minute.
“Look, it’s ridiculous for anyone to suggest that signing Ramsey was a waste of money just because he’s only had two brief cameos off the bench,” said Ferguson on the Daily Record website.
“That would be daft. If someone offers you the chance to sign a player of his quality then you snap their right hand off in the rush to grab the pen.
“Ramsey is a top quality operator – a proven match winner on the European and international stage and probably one of the most exciting talents to have come to Scottish football in the last two decades – so Rangers couldn’t say ‘no’ when the opportunity presented itself.”
Give him time
Ramsey had played just five times in all competitions for Juventus in the first half of the season so it was always going to take some time for the ex-Arsenal man to get up to speed.
He’ll no doubt be having a mini pre-season at Auchenhowie and his 29 combined minutes of action against Hearts and Hibs will have done him the world of good.
It remains to be seen if Giovanni van Bronckhorst will play Ramsey from the off on Saturday when Rangers play Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup.
It’s bound to be cold at Galabank on Saturday and the fact there’s a plastic pitch at the Scottish League Two club’s ground suggests it could be a game that Ramsey sits out of.
It wouldn’t surprise us either way if he plays at Annan, it might not hurt for him to come on at half-time.
But ultimately, the big game is the one on Thursday night – that’s the one we’ll want Ramsey ready for.
Rangers versus Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League at Signal Iduna Park.
We cannot wait for that one.
In other Rangers news, a valuable player will quit Ibrox in the summer and has a move to an English club lined up.