Barry Ferguson makes ‘crazy’ Rangers team news admission pre-Athletic Bilbao
Rangers face their biggest games of the season against Spanish side Athletic Bilbao, as their last chance of salvation.
Rangers have endured a miserable domestic campaign, and the Europa League is now their last chance of winning any silverware in what has been a season to forget.
Rangers have lost their last five home games in a row, and their toughest test will come against Athletic Bilbao, who are currently fourth in LaLiga.
Interim boss Barry Ferguson has several decisions to make over some of his underperforming players, but he has remained coy over his team selections.
Ferguson tight-lipped over Rangers team selection
Speaking ahead of the game, Ferguson was asked about goalkeeper Jack Butland, who has been well below par in recent months, but the former Rangers captain refused to give anything away.
“I’m not going to say whether I’ve had a conversation with Jack or any other player. You’ll just need to find out,” he told said at his pre-match news conference (9 April).
“I’m not going to sit up here and tell you this is who I’m going to play and this is the formation I’m going to play. I’d be crazy to do that.
“What I will do is I’ll make a decision based on what I think is right for us to get a positive result.”
| Stat | Jack Butland |
| Appearances | 100 |
| Conceded | 101 |
| Clean sheets | 39 |
Butland has endured a poor run of form, which saw him make another error against Hibernian, and Ferguson admitted his sympathy with the goalkeeper.
“In terms of players making mistakes and players maybe underperforming, that’s part and parcel of football,” he added.
“It’s tough at times. Look I’ve been through many stages myself and there are a few players who may not be playing at the level that they would want and that I would expect.
“But, in terms of changes, I’m not going to sit here and tell you what’s going to be happening.”
Jack Butland has huge point to prove at Rangers
Butland has been one of Rangers’ poorest performers this season, and this came as a surprise after a strong first season at Ibrox in the previous campaign.
The Englishman has made 100 appearances for Rangers, but this season has been a tough one, with several high-profile errors attracting criticism.
Butland looks set to continue in goal despite these errors, but with Athletic Bilbao electing to start cup goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala over Unai Simon, there may be calls for Ferguson to do the same.
There is still uncertainty over Rangers’ ownership and managerial team for next season, but whoever comes in may choose to sign a new goalkeeper if Butland cannot return to his best form.