Rangers ‘could appoint high-profile manager’ to compete with Rodgers at Celtic
Rangers have a significant managerial decision to make as they look to compete with Brendan Rodgers at Celtic next season.
Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises are close to completing their takeover at the Gers and will arguably want to see the team compete for the Scottish Premiership again.
Barry Ferguson was appointed interim manager at Ibrox midway through the campaign, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be given the job permanently.
With the Light Blues set for a new era, the prospective new owners could potentially be eyeing someone more high-profile than the former Scotland international to take charge of the Glaswegian outfit.
49ers to replace Ferguson at Rangers after takeover
A high-profile manager will replace Ferguson once the takeover is complete, Gordon Dalziel says.
The former Scottish forward believes the US consortium will want a head coach with more experience and a potentially successful background.
| Title (last 10 years) | Celtic | Rangers |
| Scottish Premiership | 9 | 1 |
Dalziel feels the Gers need someone other than Ferguson in the dugout to compete with Rodgers and Celtic next season.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, the Scotsman said: “If the new owners come in, I think they’ll be looking for somebody more high-profile to give the fans the life, the excitement. They’ll be looking for a bit of experience that’s played and coached at a higher level and has probably been successful.
“I don’t think it’ll be Ferguson. Over a period of signing new players, new season, games every single week, I think you’ve got to get somebody that can compete with Rodgers and the way Celtic are going.”
Ibrox will want to take Celtic off their perch
Celtic have dominated the Scottish Premiership in recent years, leaving the Bears struggling for silverware.
The Hoops have dominated the Old Firm derbies as well, losing just twice in the last nine meetings.
Rodgers has only recently suffered defeats against the Gers, with Philippe Clement and Ferguson beating him, but the Hoops’ overall form in the league has been impressive.
Rangers have struggled for consistency in the Scottish Premiership, allowing Celtic to maintain an advantage in the title race.
While the Gers had a decent European campaign, their prospects domestically have been poor, with the most embarrassing point coming after losing to Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup.
Some supporters may want to see Ferguson continue at Ibrox, but it feels like the Light Blues need someone with better managerial nous.
If the interim manager does leave at the end of the season, the potential American owners will have a massive decision to make on who the next manager will be.
Knocking Celtic off their perch will be difficult, but that must be Cavenagh and the 49ers’ ambition.