Barry Ferguson ‘serious candidate’ for Rangers job under 49ers post win v Celtic
Barry Ferguson has forced himself into the conversation regarding the next Rangers manager after beating Celtic 3-2 at Parkhead on Sunday.
Celtic were left shellshocked after Rangers snatched a victory at their own ground in the Scottish Premiership on 16 March despite it being Ferguson’s first Old Firm derby as their manager.
The Hoops thought they could grab the winner after nullifying Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande’s first-half goals, only to be left stunned by an 88th-minute winner from Hamza Igamane.
The result does not change anything in the grand scheme of things as Brendan Rodgers’ side still sit 13 points atop the table, although it might influence big decisions at Ibrox.
Ferguson turned things around at Rangers in three weeks – Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson is among those who have been impressed by the impact Ferguson has had at Rangers since taking the reins as their caretaker manager in February.
The Daily Record journalist is of the view that the incoming owners led by Paraag Marathe and Andrew Cavenagh can no longer ignore the former Gers captain in discussions over the next permanent manager after his wins against Fenerbahce and Celtic.
| Opponent | Competition | Result |
| Celtic (A) | Premiership | 3-2 win |
| Fenerbahce (H) | UEFA Europa League | 2-0 loss (3-3 on aggregate, 3-2 win on penalties) |
| Fenerbahce (A) | UEFA Europa League | 3-1 win |
| Motherwell (H) | Premiership | 2-1 loss |
| Kilmarnock (A) | Premiership | 3-2 win |
He reckons the 47-year-old should now be a “serious candidate” for the hot seat at Ibrox in the wake of the Light Blues’ recent results.
“The would-be American owners, he has presented them with a problem because what do you do?”, Jackson said on the Daily Record’s Hotline Live (16 March).
“I’m sure they’ll have their own ideas about what they want and how they see the club evolving, and how to lead it forward.
“First question is who is your manager for next season and right now would you want to come in the door and say this guy that’s a club legend that has just put Jose Mourinho out of Europe and beaten Brendan Rodgers at Celtic Park is just going to step aside?
“Because you can feel the connection between Ferguson and his players and the supporters, and that’s all these ingredients that are vital to success in any football team, but were all absent under Philippe Clement, it was all fractured.
“Somehow, in the space of three weeks, he’s turned it around and you have to look at it now and say, ‘You have to be considered as a serious candidate for this position on the longer term'”.
Ferguson proves Rodgers wrong in Old Firm derby
Speaking ahead of the showdown at Celtic Park, Rodgers said that he had not seen a “great change” in Rangers since Ferguson took over despite their victory over Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
The Scot has now made the Hoops manager eat his own words after claiming all three points at Parkhead on Sunday.
Kris Boyd did not pass up on the chance to hit back at Rodgers as he brought up his comments after the Gers’ victory in the Sky Sports studio afterwards.