Rangers refuse not appointing Ferguson on a permanent basis

Rangers’ 2-1 defeat against Motherwell on Saturday has already sparked conversation over Barry Ferguson’s long-term future at Ibrox.

A Cyriel Dessers goal was not enough to bring the Light Blues back from 2-0 down against Motherwell on Saturday (1 March) and supporters were subjected to more disappointment.

That means interim boss Ferguson has won one and lost one of his two games in charge now and the jury is still out.

Europa League vital for Ferguson at Rangers

It certainly felt as though Philippe Clement’s sacking at Rangers was a long time coming after a disappointing campaign on almost all fronts this season.

However, the appointment of Ferguson on an interim basis until the end of the season suggests that there was a lack of succession planning by the Gers hierarchy and they weren’t necessarily planning on getting rid of the boss.

That now means that the Light Blues are facing their Europa League cup games under the management of Ferguson who, despite having great experience as a player, lacks this at a management level.

With European football the only thing left to play for on Rangers’ radar though, it certainly puts a lot more pressure on the side and could affect the long-term future of Ferguson at Ibrox.

Writing in The Daily Record (2 March), Hugh Keevins suggested that regardless of the result against Fenerbahce, the future in Glasgow will look no clearer as he wrote: “Thursday night in Turkey will only be Ferguson’s third match in charge of a full-time team, having cut his managerial teeth in part-time surroundings at Clyde, Kelty Hearts and Alloa Athletic.

“But he will nevertheless be expected to become a serious man for serious times. And if he succeeds in getting a win, or even a draw, against Mourinho’s team, his credibility will go through the roof.