Alex McLeish shares what he has always known about Ferguson at Rangers
Rangers take on bitter rivals Celtic at Parkhead on Sunday as they look to make it consecutive Old Firm wins.
The Bears navigated their way through to the Europa League quarter-finals via a penalty shootout victory over Turkish giants Fenerbahce on Thursday.
Jack Butland made himself the hero, saving two of Fenerbahce’s spot-kick attempts, while James Tavernier, Vaclav Cerny and Tom Lawrence all converted for the Light Blues to deliver a 3-2 shootout win.
Rangers will face Bilbao in the last eight of the Europa League, but for now their attention must turn back to their domestic campaign, as they look to take the spoils at Celtic Park.
Alex McLeish heaps praise on Ferguson
The Light Blues fought-back from 2-0 down to defeat Kilmarnock 4-2 in the first game since Ferguson took the managerial reins at Ibrox.
| Rangers results under Barry Ferguson | (All competitions) |
| Kilmarnock (A) | 2-4 W |
| Motherwell (H) | 1-2 L |
| Fenerbahce (A) | 1-3 W |
| Fenerbahce (H) | 0-2 L (Rangers won 3-2 on penalties) |
Rangers then suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Motherwell, but have subsequently booked their spot in the Europa League quarter finals.
Alex McLeish has sung Ferguson’s praises following the shootout win over Fenerbahce, and shared what he has always known about him.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, he said: “I always thought Fergie had something about him.
“He knew his own position and what he could do in that position and he had fantastic knowledge of the game as well.
“I thought his tactics were really good in the first leg against Fenerbahce in Turkiye last week.”
Rangers must turn their domestic fortunes around
The Bears’ remarkable Europa League run has continued under the stewardship of Ferguson, but the Ibrox faithful will still be concerned by their club’s performances in the Scottish Premiership.
The Gers also suffered a premature exit from the Scottish Cup last month, when they were beaten by Championship outfit Queen’s Park.
Meanwhile, Rangers’ League Cup campaign ended in heartbreak when they suffered a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Celtic.
They also sit 16 points behind league leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table, and have not won at Ibrox since a 4-0 win over Ross County on 2 February.
Ferguson’s exploits in the dugout so far have guided Rangers to the Europa League quarter finals, and will have the Ibrox faithful dreaming of an unlikely triumph.
However, the interim Gers boss must turn his side’s fortunes in domestic football around ahead of next campaign, while a win over Celtic on Sunday would be a huge step in the correct direction.