Credit: Imago

Derek Ferguson

Fri 16 May 2025 19:10, UK

Barry Ferguson is set to take charge of Rangers for one final time this weekend when his side travel to Hibernian.

Saturday’s match at Easter Road marks the end of Ferguson’s caretaker spell in charge of the Gers, having taken over from Philippe Clement in late February.

Ferguson would like to stay on at Ibrox, but other names are reported to be ahead of him in the queue – namely Real Madrid coach Davide Ancelotti.

Whether it is Ancelotti in charge, Russell Martin or anyone else linked with the Ibrox job, they will need to be financially backed by the new owners in what should be a hectic summer.

And it may well be that Ferguson plays a part in this new era for Rangers, albeit in a different role behind the scenes.

Derek Ferguson backs brother Barry to stay on at Rangers

Ferguson is Rangers through and through, and he was already employed by the club in an ambassadorial position before taking on the manager’s job.

However, brother Derek Ferguson – speaking exclusively to Ibrox News – said he would like to see Barry stay on in some capacity.

And unlike Kris Boyd who recently suggested eight new signings may be required, Derek Ferguson believes just a handful of the right recruits could be enough.

“I think four or five are needed, personally,” he said. “When you look at Rangers this season, they’ve been good in Europe and good against Celtic, so the one-offs the quality is there, but it’s about maintaining that.

“It’s a mentality thing. If they can bring in four or five core players with that winning mentality, it can change the entire dressing room. The other side is we can’t keep saying, here’s 10 new players, 12 will leave.

“We can’t go on this cycle any longer. With the money we’re hoping will be available, I’d be looking at probably five players with that mentality and influence in the dressing room, with Barry still around in some capacity – that can make a big difference.

“The club will already know which players will be shown the door, so now it’s about bringing in those five new faces.

“There’s some decent players in this squad, but why they have been so far off it domestically this season is a 24,000 dollar question. Sometimes you don’t need eight or nine players if you can get the right players.”

Rangers need to get summer transfer spree spot on

Rangers could do with Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe completing their takeover at Ibrox as soon as possible.

These processes take time, of course, but only once they are in place can money be spent on strengthening the squad.

Four or five new signings is the absolute minimum required, and the Gers cannot just feed off scraps in terms of free agents and low-cost recruits.

This is a truly massive summer window ahead; one in which could very well be era-defining in Glasgow.