The moment Barry Ferguson knew he was never going to get the Rangers job he craved so much

The legendary Ibrox skipper has beaten Celtic, dismissed Fenerbahce but one match proved too much and he knows his chances are dead

Let’s get one thing perfectly straight for all of the numbnuts out there. You know, those oafish, self-entitled unfortunates who, against all odds, are even more gormless than they appear to be at first sight.

Even though that in itself takes a bit of doing.

No, rightly or wrongly and despite what these misinformed non-entities might tell you, Barry Ferguson doesn’t believe he stands so much as a puncher’s chance of becoming the next Rangers manager.

On the contrary, having conducted his own review of his short time in charge, he has reached the conclusion that this particular ship has long since sailed. Most probably from the moment he sent out a side which capitulated so horribly at home to Hibs at the start of the month.

It’ll be hurting him deep inside no doubt. But, even so, he’s reconciled himself with it. He’s made his peace with it.

And his only realistic aim now is to enjoy the short time he has left on the sidelines, managing the club he cares for so profoundly.

Despite what he thinks to be the case, it’s not yet inconceivable that he’ll still be there next season given that the incoming American owners appear at any rate not to have put any plans in place for the upcoming campaign.

Who knows? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Andrew Cavenagh and his backers from the San Francisco 49ers might still turn to Ferguson and ask him to stay at the helm whenever they do finally get their takeover across the finishing line.