Tavernier makes Barry Ferguson admission live on air after Rangers loss v Bilbao
Rangers crashed out of the Champions League against Bilbao, leaving question marks over the future of Barry Ferguson.
After their defeat to Athletic Bilbao, Rangers’ season is essentially over, despite there still being five games left to be played.
Exits from both domestic cups, matched with their horrendous league form, piled the pressure on the Light Blues to find success via the Europa League, but the Spanish outfit proved to have too much quality for Ferguson’s side to handle.
Since taking over from Phillipe Clement, Ferguson has certainly had a positive influence at Ibrox, though his future at the club remains unknown.
However, the feeling among the playing squad is evident after what James Tavernier had to say after the defeat.
Ferguson appointment mooted by Tavernier at Rangers
Despite criticism throughout the season, Tavernier has largely remained a consistent starter under Ferguson, and although the lack of team success will overshadow it, he has thrived under his stewardship more often than not.
With Steven Gerrard linked with a return to Ibrox, it remains unclear who will be in the Rangers dugout next season, but it is evident that Tavernier wants Ferguson to stay in charge.
Speaking after the defeat via TNT Sports (17 April), the Rangers skipper said: “There’s going to be a lot of change in the club, so we can only get better.
| Opponent | Result |
| Dundee (A) | 3-4 W |
| Hibernian (H) | 0-2 L |
| Athletic Bilbao (H) | 0-0 D |
| Aberdeen (A) | 2-2 D |
| Athletic Bilbao (A) | 2-0 L |
“I’ve been really happy since Barry came in; he’s steadied the ship with us. The demand that he puts on us, and he obviously knows the DNA of the club. It’s obviously not my decision, but I’d love to have Barry for next season.”
Despite the defeat, Ferguson has certainly done himself no harm in the race to become the next permanent Rangers manager, whether that is a sentiment shared by those in charge will become clear in the next few weeks and months.
Rangers have a huge summer ahead of them
Not only will the future of Ferguson have to be determined, but Rangers need to recruit well in the summer transfer window if they are to get back to competing for domestic trophies.
Celtic have run away with the league title this season, and if the Light Blues have ambitions of changing that next campaign, severe improvements will be needed.