Rangers confirmed XI v Kilmarnock: Ferguson names his first starting line-up
Rangers begin a new chapter at Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership as life after Philippe Clement gets underway.
Barry Ferguson has agreed to return to Ibrox to lead the Gers until the end of the season, and his first task arrives at Rugby Park (26 February) in a midweek match-up with the ninth-placed side in the division.
A win would take plenty of pressure off Ferguson’s shoulders at Rangers ahead of the objective to secure a strong end to the campaign.
Ferguson entirely unchanged from final Clement side
Rangers have not made any changes to the final starting XI to be picked by Clement last weekend in a dismal Ibrox defeat to St Mirren.
Ferguson has kept faith with the same starting XI and even an identical bench to that named by the departed Belgian only days ago.
It applies further pressure onto an underperforming group to find the inspiration and put on a display hugely contrasting to the last nail in Clement’s coffin.
| POS | Scottish Premiership table 2024-25 | PLD | PTS |
| 1 | Celtic | 28 | 72 |
| 2 | Rangers | 27 | 56 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | 28 | 41 |
| 4 | Dundee United | 27 | 40 |
Jack Butland starts in goal with captain James Tavernier at right-back; Clinton Nsiala had a game to forget for Rangers against St Mirren but retains his place alongside Robin Propper.
Jefte is at left-back, while Mohamed Diomande and Nico Raskin occupy the hub of the midfield. Vaclav Cerny and Hamza Igamane are on opposite flanks and Ianis Hagi is in behind Cyriel Dessers up top.
The Light Blues posted on their social media accounts 75 minutes before kick-off to reveal the XI for which Ferguson has opted.
Rangers have league pride and Europe to fight for
Even despite comments made by Patrick Stewart backing Clement, he was always on borrowed time and the St Mirren defeat provided ample reason to call time on his tenure.
Rangers simply have been nowhere near good enough but will look to restore some pride under their former captain, a legendary figure in Govan.
Ferguson is exactly the kind of character Rangers need during this spell to attempt to turn the tide among the supporters, who are now heading into games like the weekend and Wednesday night scared to be beaten.
Opponents such as Kilmarnock – where they have already lost this season under Clement albeit by following it up with December’s 6-0 Ibrox win – have caused more problems than is acceptable to be the case.
The Europa League and its upcoming tie between the Light Blues and Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce can provide the excitement, but getting back on track is exactly what Ferguson is tasked with in the coming months.