Barry Ferguson given conditions for full-time Rangers job consideration
Barry Ferguson may have guided Rangers to a Europa League quarter-final, but his side’s form in the Scottish Premiership shows there’s still plenty of work to be done at Ibrox.
After narrowly beating Dundee last weekend, the Gers fell to defeat against Hibernian at Ibrox on Saturday (5 April).
The defeat was a harsh reminder to those in Glasgow that the issues of the current side run deeper than Philippe Clement’s management, with many questions to be answered this summer.
Scott McDermott sends Ferguson Rangers advice
The appointment of Ferguson certainly felt like one that was made with the purpose of morale boosting rather than purely for improvement on the field.
A key issue under Clement’s management was an inability to produce results away from home and while that may have improved, it is at Ibrox where the Gers are now coming unstuck.
The Light Blues are now without a win at Ibrox in five games and there have been suggestions that the pressure is getting to the Rangers squad on home turf.
As the summer approaches, with the hope of a takeover at Ibrox by the 49ers Enterprises, questions over a permanent manager are swirling with some suggesting Ferguson could be the man for the job.
However, Scott McDermott has warned the interim boss that a continuation of the current home form will kill his hopes as he wrote in the Daily Record (6 April): “One thing’s for sure. Barry Ferguson won’t get the Rangers manager’s job if he can’t win a game at Ibrox. That’s now three defeats on the bounce at home for the interim gaffer.
“Motherwell plundered three easy points in Govan, before Fenerbahce won in Europe only to be defeated on penalties. And on Saturday it was Hibs’ turn to comfortably see off a Rangers side who look petrified at their own ground. So forget the Old Firm triumph at Parkhead or success on the road at Kilmarnock, Dundee and Istanbul.
“If Ferguson and his staff can’t get a tune out of this lot at Ibrox, they won’t be in charge next term. In five of his seven games at the helm they’ve conceded the first two goals.”
49ers to bring their own manager to Ibrox
Patience with Clement was running out at Rangers and his sacking felt like a long time coming so a change had to be made for the remainder of the season.
As a former player, Ferguson has got a bit of leeway if results are not up to standard and he also understands the expectations that are placed on the shoulders of those playing at Ibrox.
However, it would be surprising to see the new owners choose to keep him on, especially when the form has been rocky along the way.
Looking at the 47-year-old’s former managerial positions, he doesn’t have the level of experience you’d expect for a manager who is set to take the Gers back to the top of the Scottish Premiership.
| Ferguson’s previous managerial roles |
| Clyde |
| Kelty Hearts |
| Alloa Athletic |
If the 49ers do complete their takeover, they will be expected to put an increased amount of money behind the side and with that in mind, they will surely want a boss who is used to working with a bigger budget.
For now, Ferguson has to address the immediate issues at Ibrox and if he does want the permanent vacancy, this is the time to earn it.