Barry Ferguson has admitted, “I thought it would never come,” after being named Rangers’ interim head coach until the end of the season following Philippe Clement’s departure.
The 47-year-old former club captain will be supported by a coaching team that includes ex-Rangers and Scotland teammates Neil McCann, Billy Dodds, and Allan McGregor, alongside Issame Charai, who previously assisted Clement.
Ferguson, who last managed part-time Alloa Athletic three years ago, will take charge of the team for the first time in their Scottish Premiership clash away to Kilmarnock on Wednesday.
Rangers, currently sitting second in the league, confirmed the new management team while also announcing the departure of coaches Alex Rae, Colin Stewart, and Stephan van der Heyden. The club stated that “a new, permanent manager will be appointed in the coming months.”
Speaking to Rangers TV, Ferguson acknowledged that his role is temporary, saying, “It is only for three months,” but emphasized his determination to get the best out of the squad. “It is my job to get a kick out of this group of players because, when I watched them, I think there are really good players there. It was a job I couldn’t turn down. To be honest, I thought it would never come.”
Clement left Rangers on Sunday, just a day after a 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren left the club 13 points behind league leaders Celtic. As Patrick Stewart welcomed Ferguson back, the Rangers chief executive reiterated that “the issues we are facing run deeper than the manager.”
Several names have been linked to the permanent managerial role, including former boss Steven Gerrard, ex-Everton manager Sean Dyche, and current Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes.
Meanwhile, Rangers are in discussions with a United States-led consortium, including Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises, regarding a multi-million-pound investment.
Regardless of who takes the helm next, Rangers legend Ally McCoist believes the new manager will face a monumental task in closing the gap with Celtic.
“Rangers, sadly, even including the very comfortable 3-0 victory against Celtic a few weeks back, are a good, good way behind Celtic on and off the pitch,” McCoist said.
He added: “The gulf between the two clubs is massive. So anybody that’s getting in there will have to take the place by the scruff of the neck and give it a right good shake.
“And they’re going to have to get backed by new owners who would hopefully, financially back the new coach. Millions of pounds have been effectively thrown away. The players coming in have not been of a good enough standard.
“What the fans are finding it difficult to accept, and I’m with them 100 per cent, is a lack of fight and a lack of desire. The Rangers football team on the pitch is weak.
“It’s a team you’d love to play against because there’s a weakness about it on the pitch and sadly at this moment in time there’s a weakness off the pitch as well.”
Despite failing to secure either of the Scottish domestic cups and almost certainly falling short in the league, Rangers remain in contention in the Europa League.
The new manager will need to hit the ground running, as the team is set to face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the round of 16. Rangers will travel to Turkey for the first leg on March 6 before hosting Mourinho’s side at Ibrox for the second leg on March 13.
