Ferguson oversees ‘unexplained Rangers phenomena’ as Keevins left stunned
Hugh Keevins has been left baffled by what he’s seen from Barry Ferguson in his interim spell in charge of Rangers.
The 47-year-old has taken charge of the Gers since February and has overseen some hugely positive moments in that spell.
There aren’t many better than the late win away to Celtic in the Old Firm as Hamza Igamane sent the travelling supporters into raptures.
It is the European form of the Light Blues that has caught the eye of Keevins, who has been stunned by what he’s seen from Ferguson.
Keevins baffled by Ferguson spell at Rangers
The Govan club are now preparing for the second leg of the Europa League quarter final as they look set for a trip to Bilbao on Thursday (17 April).
The first leg of the clash finished 0-0 at Ibrox despite the home side being forced to deal with a controversial red card for Robin Propper after just 13 minutes.
| Stat | Rangers | Athletic Club |
| Possession (%) | 29 | 71 |
| Shots | 4 | 19 |
| Expected goals | 0.14 | 2.37 |
| Accurate passes | 142 | 477 |
Regardless of this, the Gers were able to shut out the La Liga outfit and secure a goalless draw, which could stand them in good stead in the Basque Country.
Keevins has been left stunned by the Light Blues’ work on the continent under Ferguson, but he didn’t seem surprised in his Sunday Mail column (13 April, page 61).
He said: “I was laughed at for saying Rangers in the midst of a domestic season that diminished their reputation would make the final of the Europa League final at the end of the campaign which began when they couldn’t make a shipment of building materials turn up on time to renovate a stand.
“Rangers’ progress in Europe looks preordained because it has nothing to do with the reality of the situation, which is that Ferguson was put in interim charge because Philippe Clement was running the team into the ground.
“Ferguson is presiding over what looks like a case of unexplained phenomena that passes beyond human understanding.”
Rangers await Athletic Club clash in Europa League
There is just something about the Ibrox club and European nights which just go hand in hand.
This was the case when the Gers made it to the final of the Europa League in 2022 before unfortunately falling to defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt.
It appears that Keevins is confident of that sort of achievement will be replicated once again, this time under Ferguson in G51.
There will be no guarantees against an Athletic Club side who boast huge talents like Nico Williams, who is bound to have his say.
It will be interesting to see how the likes of Cyriel Dessers and Vaclav Cerny will make their presence known against the Spaniards in a huge clash for the Light Blues.