Graeme Souness held talks over a return to Rangers
Graeme Souness held talks over a return to Rangers

Rangers told to 'grow a set of balls' after Graeme Souness opportunity wasted following talks

Derek Ferguson

At the start of 2024, former Rangers star Derek Ferguson agreed to become Ibrox News' newest pundit. Ferguson started his career at Ibrox, making his league debut for the club aged 17 in a draw against Hearts in 1984. He eventually left Rangers in 1990 after making 91 league appearances and winning two Scottish titles. Ferguson went on to play for the likes of Hearts, Sunderland and Falkirk before retiring after a spell at Raith Rovers in 2006. Now, Ibrox News is delighted to have the former midfielder sharing his weekly thoughts on all things Rangers.

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Rangers have to "grow a set of balls" and bring some people in who can help the club after the opportunity to get Graeme Souness back was wasted, says Derek Ferguson.

The former Gers player-manager held talks with former chief executive James Bisgrove over a role at Ibrox two summers ago after he left Sky Sports [The Sun], and more were expected as the now-71-year-old appeared to be destined for a return [Scottish Sun], but it never materialised.

The move was again backed by Souness' talkSPORT colleague Simon Jordan after Michael Beale was sacked just under a year ago as a way to "create a culture" at the club and "wake them up" following a dismal start to last season.

Jim White even told Go Radio at the time that the ex-Scotland midfielder was inbound at Ibrox and Souness was "going to get his way" [Daily Record], but again it didn't happen.

Now, with Bisgrove having upped sticks for the Saudi Pro League at the end of last season, John Bennett recently resigned on health grounds, and interim chair John Gilligan urging Dave King to calm his criticism of the current board [BBC Sport, 23 September], Ferguson is "bemused" that the chance to get Souness back was missed.

He exclusively told Ibrox News: "I was also a bit bemused going back [a few months] about the Souness situation. They had an opportunity to bring Graeme Souness into the club.

"And for what ever reason, maybe again, Graeme Souness, straight talker, tells you the way it is, I don't think that's suited certain people.

"So they've just got to grow a set of balls, so they have, and get these guys in that can help Rangers."

James Bisgrove Rangers
James Bisgrove held talks with Graeme Souness before he left Rangers for the Saudi Pro League in May.

James Bisgrove held Rangers return talks with Graeme Souness

In light of the fact that the Light Blues are currently without a chief executive to replace Bisgrove, with Jim Gillespie turning down the role following advanced talks before Bennett left [Daily Mail, 10 September], and only an interim chairman, the club could probably do with some of the authority of Souness.

At the same time it is no guarantee that his judgment would be any better than those who have been in charge in recent seasons.

As Jordan loves to remind him [talkSPORT, 8 April], he was in favour of appointing Frank Lampard over Philippe Clement last year, and while the Belgian's stock may have fallen somewhat in recent months it is hard to see the current situation being any better with the former Chelsea star in charge.

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