Derek Ferguson has expressed outrage over reports that a senior figure at Rangers suggested the club must stand by Philippe Clement, even if it means conceding the next two league titles to Celtic.
The claim, reportedly made earlier this season, was revealed by Tom English on the BBC Sport website on 1 November.
According to English, an unnamed Ibrox insider insisted the Belgian manager would be backed regardless of fan discontent, even if it meant sacrificing the current season’s title hopes and those of the next.
The statement is said to have come after Rangers’ 3-0 Old Firm defeat on 1 September and their failure to reach the Champions League group stage.
However, it preceded further setbacks, including losses to Kilmarnock on 20 October and Aberdeen on 30 October, which have left Rangers trailing Celtic by nine points.
Ferguson dismissed the suggestion as wholly unacceptable, describing it as a betrayal of Rangers’ ethos.
“No, it’s not the Rangers way. That’s an unacceptable comment. No chance,” he told Ibrox News.
“So we just kind of give up the season? So all these fans have paid their money, they pay their money and they turn up in their droves to see a successful Rangers side.
“This project, you cannae just say we’ll give up this season and hopefully it’ll be better next season. It doesnae happen like that, that’s not the way football works. You should be judged week in, week out with your performance levels, your style of football, and most importantly winning games.”
The club had reportedly resolved before the season began to break the cycle of managerial changes, which has seen a succession of bosses fail to last more than a campaign [The Herald, 27 July].
But Ferguson believes Clement’s position should not be immune to scrutiny, especially given the team’s current form.
“And he’s not won enough games, that’s why we’re sitting nine points behind Celtic and Aberdeen, and that’s why that was a massive game up at Aberdeen.
“A lot of people were saying even a draw would have been a good result. I don’t think so, I think he had to win that. To drop behind nine points at this stage of the season, that tells you that it’s no good enough.”
Ferguson was particularly scathing about the idea that Rangers could accept falling short in the title race for the sake of long-term stability.
“But if somebody, a senior figure, whoever it was, I think that’s a ridiculous comment. It’s not the Rangers way and it’s not what the Rangers fans want to hear. Ridiculous, a ridiculous statement.”
With Rangers’ season already in jeopardy, the pressure on Clement and those backing him continues to mount.