Ferguson hits out ahead of Rangers’ return to Ibrox – ‘Bang out of order’
Rangers return to Ibrox on Saturday for the first time since one of the most infamous losses in their history at the hands of Queen’s Park.
Philippe Clement oversaw a 1-0 loss to Queen’s Park at Ibrox on 9 February – the first time the Gers have ever lost to lower-league opposition on home soil.
Clement survived intense sack talk at Ibrox in the days after that embarrassing loss, but the pressure is not entirely off just yet.
Rangers fans certainly made their feelings known after the match as they gathered outside Ibrox, although at least one person crossed the line.
Derek Ferguson slams Rangers fan over Philippe Clement abuse
Journalist Scott McDermott labelled those who aimed verbal abuse at Clement a “disgrace”.
Player-turned-pundit Derek Ferguson agrees that the abuse went too far, but he was quick to point out it was one individual at the centre of it, rather than a group.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Ferguson said: “It was an individual. I’m always of the belief that, for 90 minutes inside the stadium, you’re quite right to express your views.
“But outside the stadium, it’s all done and dusted – move on. A lot of fans weren’t happy, but it doesn’t warrant that level of abuse. It was unfortunate, and something I witnessed myself as a youngster at Ibrox.
“I saw the players getting abused week in and week out. That incident was out of order, but when you’re not winning games, playing badly, vent your feelings in the stadium.
“If you’re not happy with what you’re seeing, you have every right inside the stadium to let your feelings known. But this particular individual was bang out of order. “
Rangers return to Ibrox for St Mirren clash
Two weeks is a long time in football, and the atmosphere is unlikely to be as toxic against St Mirren as it was at full-time against Queen’s Park.
Rangers’ 3-1 win over Hearts last week did not really do much to lift to pressure off Clement. Indeed, the Gers are quietly on a five-game winning run in the league.
Ultimately, Clement will be defined on how Rangers perform domestically each season, and right now they are out of both cups and 13 points behind Celtic in the league.
Advancing past Fenerbahce in the Europa League would of course help lift some gloom, but it may well be that the Belgian is too far gone now to save himself.