English pundits have expressed confusion over the possibility of Barry Ferguson being named interim manager of Rangers.
The Ibrox legend is reportedly being considered by club officials as a potential candidate to head a temporary coaching team following the dismissal of Philippe Clement.
Assistant manager Issame Charai oversaw Rangers’ training session on Monday and is likely to be in the dugout for the Scottish Premiership match against Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening.
However, Ferguson could be brought into the Ibrox setup for the rest of the season while the club searches for a permanent replacement.
The news of Ferguson’s potential interim appointment has been met with skepticism from English pundits Martin Keown and Simon Jordan, who raised doubts about his qualifications.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Keown admitted he was “concerned,” suggesting that appointing Ferguson would be no different from him taking on a top managerial role himself.
Jordan echoed similar sentiments, pointing to Ferguson’s track record in previous roles and arguing that the only reason the former captain is being considered is due to his deep ties with the club.
“I’m concerned,” said Keown. “Has he got the necessary credentials?
“It’s OK being a top player at the football club, but where’s he managed? Alloa?
“Does that give him the necessary tools to do the job in the way that they want? Or is it just a case of bringing in one of their own?
“It looks very much like that’s the case, doesn’t it? Go back to players who have represented the club.
“In a way, if he’s working in the media, it’d be no different than bringing me in to take over a top job somewhere. It’d be seen as a bit strange.”
Jordan added: “That must be part of the thinking. It must be part of the thinking because if you’re looking at a person who has a win record of 27% at a League One Scottish Club you’re not looking at someone who has a proven track record.
“You could make the case, neither did Steven Gerrard. He came in as a fledgling new manager, was brought in to galvanise the spirit of the football club based upon his credentials as a player.
“I don’t know Barry Ferguson as a person, I don’t know what his capabilities are, I don’t know how he operates.
“What I do know is that you look at his record, it doesn’t suggest that a job of the scale of Rangers, besides the fact he’s played for them, would be something you’d naturally consider Barry Ferguson for.
“It has to be because he was a Rangers player. Now what does that do? If you play to the gallery, you’ll never please it. You have to be definite, definitely right or definitely wrong. Ideally, definitely right but you’ve got to be definite in your thinking.”
