Credit: Imago

Pranav Shahaney

Sun 6 April 2025 11:10, UK

Carlos Cuellar has delivered his verdict on the next permanent Rangers manager.

The Ibrox outfit are looking to end the season on a positive note by winning their Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao.

The first leg is set to be played at Ibrox on Thursday, 10 April.

Barry Ferguson is perfect for the Rangers job – Cuellar

Cuellar, a former Gers defender, has tipped Barry Ferguson to be a success at the Light Blues.

Ferguson was the captain when the Spaniard was at Ibrox and believes that he’s exactly what the team needs right now.

While he has masterminded high-profile wins over Celtic and Fenerbahce but they’ve not won a home game in two months, which is a worry.

Cuellar told the Record: “When I read that Barry was to be in charge, I thought: ‘Rangers are now going to be very good’. Because as a player and captain, he organised us from the middle.

“On the pitch, he was the right hand of Walter. Davie was the same. Both of them understood what our team had to do and, also, what the other team would do.

“That helped the team a lot. So I was pleased when he got the job. Because he has so much passion for the club and knows Rangers so well.

“In terms of dedication to Rangers, with Barry I know he’ll give more than 100 percent. When you do that in your work, 99 times out of a 100 you’ll get success.

“For this period of time, in terms of what the team needs, I know he’s the right man. He’s perfect for this job.”

San Francisco 49ers must set a high bar for Ferguson to get the job

Ferguson’s prospects of securing the manager role hinge on addressing significant shortcomings, particularly at Ibrox, where his interim tenure has been marred by three consecutive home defeats.

Losses to Motherwell, Fenerbahce (despite a penalty shootout) and a rampant Hibs side underline a troubling inability to harness the team’s potential on home turf.

These setbacks overshadow his successes elsewhere, like the Old Firm win at Parkhead and victories at Kilmarnock, Dundee, and Istanbul, exposing a critical inconsistency.

At Ibrox, Rangers have appeared lethargic and vulnerable, often conceding the first two goals in five of Ferguson’s seven matches, a statistic that highlights defensive frailty and a lack of creativity in midfield.

Jack Butland’s recurring errors, such as his failure to stop Dylan Levitt’s strike against Hibs, have compounded the issue, while missed chances from Cyriel Dessers reflect an attack lacking sharpness.

Ferguson’s side struggles to adapt when opponents, like Hibs, execute disciplined game plans – sitting deep and exploiting pace on the counter.

This predictability and absence of urgency, even when trailing, suggest a team low on morale and tactical spark.

The San Francisco 49ers are unlikely to accept this as good enough if they are to hand him the job permanently.