Barry Ferguson in frame for Rangers job after ‘frightening’ McLeish admission
Barry Ferguson can etch himself further into Rangers folklore if he produces a European semi-final across his short-term stay in charge.
To surpass Athletic Club and reach the last four of the Europa League would continue to defy the logic of the gulf between Rangers’ domestic and European form, with the scalp of Jose Mourinho already collected on the CV.
Ferguson is so far uncertain whether he will be offered the top job at Ibrox beyond this summer, with the Gers’ US takeover in the pipeline as discussions continue.
Alex McLeish backs Ferguson for Ibrox job
McLeish has weighed in on the discourse over whether Ferguson should be offered the long-term opportunity to lead Rangers.
The former Ibrox captain could put himself in a position which would force the hand of any incoming regime to at the very least consider him, if they overcome Athletic Club in Bilbao on Thursday (17 April).
Gers forced a goalless draw in Glasgow with 10 men – ending the match with nine after Dujon Sterling’s injury – in last week’s first leg, and have an admirable release of the shackles in Europe.
By contrast, the Scottish Premiership form has been sketchy, particularly at home, and results have often had to be earned the hard way after slow starts against underdog domestic opponents.
McLeish cited the two-legged victory over Fenerbahce and Jose Mourinho as ample reason to put Ferguson on a deserved pedestal.
“If he pulls this one off then it’s hard to see why he can’t get the job. A lot of people would have melted just meeting Jose, never mind Barry beating him,” he told the Daily Record (16 April).
“These results were just incredible when you think of some of the domestic ones that’s gone against him and the team. It was frightening.
“But the way we’ve played in Europe in the last few years has been quite incredible, getting to the latter stages quite consistently. If our guys have their shooting boots on and get one chance, that could be enough. In competitions like this you need to take that one chance. That’s the bottom line.”
Rangers can continue European fairytale in Bilbao
Rangers at their most optimistic will be hoping Thursday’s trip to Bilbao is the first of two visits this season.
The Europa League final’s host city beckons, but there are many strong sides still left in a competition in which no-one had given Rangers a prayer some months ago.
| Rangers – European finals reached in 21st century | Year |
| Europa League (UEFA Cup) | 2008 |
| Europa League | 2022 |
It has been debated long and often about Gers’ upper gear in Europe, which they often struggle to find in domestic matches against opponents Athletic Club would hypothetically stroll past 95 per cent of the time.
The Light Blues driven by Ferguson are capable of anything in the Basque Country later this week, and given the run to the final in both 2022 and 2008, there is a quiet belief among many Gers fans that their side can once again thrive off the underestimation from far and wide.