49ers ‘relieved’ as final Barry Ferguson decision made at Rangers
Barry Ferguson suffered a heartbreak after Rangers succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
Rangers’ UEFA Europa League campaign ended after goals from Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams at San Mames on 17 April gave the Spanish giants a 2-0 win on aggregate.
The Light Blues now have nothing to play for, as Celtic are only a point away from clinching the Scottish Premiership title, meaning this will go down as a disappointing season for them.
49ers relieved after Rangers loss v Athletic Bilbao
Fraser Clarke believes the 49ers will have breathed a ‘sigh of relief’ after Rangers were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday, as they no longer have to consider Ferguson for the managerial job.
The Record journalist feels the incoming owners would have left with no choice but to reluctantly appoint the former captain as their permanent manager had he led them to glory in Europe.
| Athletic Bilbao | Stat | Rangers |
| 22 | Shots | 7 |
| 4 | Shots on target | 2 |
| 56% | Possession | 44% |
| 463 | Passes | 371 |
| 82% | Pass accuracy | 79% |
Clarke insisted that he had never been convinced by the 49-year-old, having spotted ‘warning’ signs over the last two months.
He added that four wins in 10 games across all competitions is not a record good enough for a Rangers boss.
“I think the 49ers will be breathing a bit of a sigh of relief after last night”, Clarke said on Game On, as relayed by the Record (18 April).
“Because if he had won them the Europa League then he’d have to be appointed; no doubts, no question about it.
“You experience success in Europe as a club legend, win a European trophy then there’s no competition.
“I think that there have been warning signs. Four wins from 10 matches, that’s not good enough as a Rangers manager.
“Bump that up to six wins in 10 and it’s still not really good enough.”
Ferguson to leave Ibrox
Ferguson always had only a small chance to land the permanent manager job at Rangers.
It is worth noting that the Scot had not been in management since 2022 before being appointed the Gers’ caretaker manager in February.
While Ferguson has managed to motivate the players at Ibrox, his record of four wins in 10 matches is not good enough, as Clarke said.
That is why the 49ers will look elsewhere for a new manager once they come into power in Glasgow.
Ferguson can have no complaints about not getting a longer contract and must be glad that he at least had the chance to manage the Ibrox outfit.