Rangers miss real leader as Barry Ferguson named in Celtic comparison

Rangers have been told by Stiliyan Petrov they lack someone with a track record of success to lead them as captain at Ibrox.

James Tavernier currently holds the armband, with the Englishman having led the club since 2018 in what has been a relatively unsuccessful period at Ibrox.

Barry Ferguson had two spells as captain during his stints at the Light Blues, winning multiple Scottish Premiership titles and domestic cups.

Speaking to Football365 [21 November], former Celtic skipper Petrov believes the Bears miss a figure like Ferguson in their dressing room at the moment.

"Since Barry Ferguson, there hasn't really been that consistent with the success, and if you look at the last 13 or 12 years, Celtic have been successful," he said

"If you are looking for a captain at Rangers, you need somebody who has success, somebody who can show everyone how it needs to be done; they have really lacked to have a leader like that."

James Tavernier losing Rangers backing

The captain's armband holds immense esteem, and the Rangers supporters aren't too keen to see Tavernier lead the team anymore.

The right-back has seen the fanbase turn on him slightly this season after struggling to perform consistently towards the end of his career.

With the Light Blues currently third in the Scottish Premiership, nine points behind Celtic and Aberdeen, frustrations are understandable, with Philippe Clement and Tavernier in the firing line.

Under the 33-year-old's captaincy, the Bears have won just one Scottish Premiership and a couple of cup competitions.

Clement arrived in the Ibrox dugout last season and lifted the Scottish League Cup.

The 2024/25 campaign has been an eye-opener for many, and the gap between the Light Blues and Celtic seems ever so vast, with fans not too sure about their team ahead of the Old Firm derby in the Premier Sports Cup final on 15 December.

A new leader is needed, it's just finding who can fit that mould.

In other Rangers news, Nils Koppen has been mooted to make a decision on Clement's future.

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