Lovenkrands shares what Barry Ferguson has told him after Rangers job speculation
Rangers are looking ahead to a transformational period at Ibrox as they wait for the 49ers Enterprises to complete a takeover.
After a poor season under Philippe Clement, Barry Ferguson was appointed as interim boss until the end of the campaign.
However, some improved form and big results, including another point against Celtic on Sunday (4 May), have left questions being asked of his future.
Lovenkrands shares Ferguson insight at Rangers
When the 49ers complete a takeover at Rangers, they will be keen to hit the ground running with a series of changes needed to bring improvement to Ibrox.
With that in mind, there needs to be the right man at the helm, who can oversee the transfer window as well as deliver results on the pitch.
Ferguson’s tenure so far has caused plenty of debate over his future with some suggesting that he is worthy of being given a permanent opportunity.
However, there have also been arguments that the improvements so far are not enough and, as a result, the new owners would be better off bringing in their own appointment instead.
Speaking to the Daily Record (6 May), Peter Lovenkrands revealed how the former Gers captain is finding his time in the hot seat, saying: “Barry came into a tough situation. He inherited a team that’s not up to scratch.
“That’s just being honest, there are players probably not good enough, and that has to change.
“But under the circumstances, Barry has done OK. He had some fantastic performances in Europe and against Celtic.
“But domestically against the smaller teams, that’s been the Achilles heel. They’re going behind in games and having to fight back, that’s not normal at Rangers.
“Barry has been dealt a tough hand but he’s coped with the pressure well. I’ve spoken to him and he’s loving it.
“He hasn’t said anything to me about the job. But any person who comes in to take the team would hope they’re in contention to get it full-time.
“It’s too big a job to say no to, so if he gets an offer, of course, he’ll say yes. It all depends on what the new owners want.”
Ferguson has taken Rangers as far as he can
As Lovenkrands says, Ferguson has certainly done a solid job since he took the role at Rangers and he deserves plenty of credit for that.
Furthermore, given how poor some of the players in his squad have been, you have to consider how things would differ with stronger options.
That being said, Ferguson does not have the previous experience to suggest he is well equipped for what is such a big job and throwing him in at a level he is not ready for could risk ruining the reputation he has built over the years as a player.
| Club | Win Rate |
| Clyde | 38.3% |
| Kelty Hearts | 65.7% |
| Alloa Athletic | 27.3% |
What’s more, with an increased budget when it comes to transfers, you also need someone in charge who is comfortable working within those parameters and it’s not yet known whether Ferguson can.
When you look at some of the names that have been linked with the role at Ibrox, you can’t help but feel that Ferguson is not at the same level, and the 49ers can’t afford to get this appointment wrong.