Barry Ferguson names striker he would have signed as manager of Rangers – ‘No brainer’
Barry Ferguson will no doubt believe he could have transformed Rangers if they had stuck with him over Russell Martin at Ibrox.
After taking interim charge at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, Ferguson was linked with becoming the permanent Rangers manager, before Andrew Cavenagh opted to go for Martin instead.
Martin’s disastrous reign in charge saw him swiftly replaced by Danny Rohl, and the Bears are entering a new era under the German’s stewardship.
Some fans were keen to see Ferguson have a real chance at the job, with the Gers legend securing impressive away wins against Fenerbahce and Celtic during his short spell in charge.
Lawrence Shankland was linked with Rangers over a potential summer move, and Ferguson insists that he would have done whatever it took to bring him to Ibrox.
Lawrence Shankland would have been a Rangers player under Barry Ferguson
Shankland is flying in the Scottish Premiership this season, and he is spearheading Hearts’ title charge, having scored eight goals in 15 matches.
After bouncing around several clubs in Scotland, Shankland’s spell with Belgian side Beerschot earned him a move to Hearts in 2022, where he has since been a revelation.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show Podcast on 8 December, Ferguson claimed that he would have done everything to sign the 30-year-old striker, who was initially out of contract.
He said: “He was an absolute no-brainer for me. His overall general play has improved so much since he came from Belgium.
“It’s frustrating that Rangers never took up the option to sign him on a free, because I think he would have been very good.”
| Stat | Shankland |
| Appearances | 153 |
| Goals | 78 |
| Assists | 22 |
Kris Boyd also criticised the failure to sign Shankland, with Kevin Thelwell focused on signing different profiles for much higher transfer fees.
This strategy has completely backfired, and the Rangers board ignored the simple fact that no other forwards can replicate his ability as a striker in the Scottish Premiership.
Shankland’s double against Rangers gave Hearts a first win at Ibrox since 2014 back in September, and it was a painful reminder that he was available for the Bears to sign.
The decision to cast Ferguson and Shankland aside was a real sliding doors moment, and now Rohl must do whatever it takes to get the best out of his current attackers.
- Read more: Michael Stewart slams Mikey Moore ‘madness’ at Rangers after what happened with Russell Martin
Rangers’ attack can’t lay a glove on Lawrence Shankland
The three-pronged strikeforce of Youssef Chermiti, Bojan Miovski, and Danilo have scored fewer goals combined than Shankland this season.
Miovski’s double against Kilmarnock on Saturday has given supporters some hope that they may have a reliable goalscorer in the former Aberdeen man.
However, it’s a damning indictment of Rangers‘ struggles that James Tavernier is yet again their top scorer in the Scottish Premiership with four goals.
All three players cost over £20million with add-ons, and it highlights the improvements that are needed in Rangers’ recruitment after passing up on a free transfer for Shankland.
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