Heartbroken Ally McCoist believes that Barry Ferguson’s appointment as Rangers manager has reached a point where even Celtic fans aren’t mocking them anymore—instead, they’re feeling sympathy.
The Ibrox legend admitted that their fierce rivals now seem to pity the Light Blues as he faced a tough interrogation from Celtic diehard Alan Brazil on the talkSPORT Breakfast Show.
Ferguson, the new interim boss, has been given 15 games to restore some positivity around Ibrox after replacing Philippe Clement. His temporary stint could be extended if he secures a win over Fenerbahce in the Europa League, which remains Rangers’ only realistic chance of silverware this season.
Ferguson will begin his tenure against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night after addressing the media for the first time on Tuesday. He urged fans to judge him based on his three-month spell rather than his previous managerial roles at Blackpool, Clyde, Kelty Hearts, and Alloa. He’ll be supported in the dugout by Allan McGregor, Billy Dodds, and Neil McCann.
During the talkSPORT interview, Brazil didn’t hold back, pressing McCoist on the chaotic situation at Ibrox. He asked, “I have got to say, with the greatest of respect, what the hell is happening at Ibrox?”
McCoist quickly shut down the topic, replying, “I don’t want to talk about it.” Unfazed, Brazil continued, “You’ve got to! The goalkeeper (Allan McGregor) – what badges has he got to coach?”
McCoist offered some defense, saying, “I don’t know, I don’t want to talk about it. I’m fully behind the boys and I hope they do well, that’s all I’m saying on it.”
A bewildered Brazil responded, “When I saw the news on my phone I was like ‘what?’ Has it gone down a sinkhole, Ibrox, or something?”
McCoist admitted, “I was the same, but I am more perplexed by why you extend the manager’s contract then get rid of him. You give a centre-back (Connor Goldson), who has been excellent for us, an extra couple of years and then you have got to pay him up…”
The conversation then shifted to the impending takeover by a US consortium backed by the financial might of the San Francisco 49ers. Brazil expressed confusion over why Clement was dismissed before the deal was finalized.
The Celtic fan asked, “Someone was trying to tell me the San Francisco 49ers, who own a bit of Leeds, are going to buy a bit of Rangers. So why would you do what they have done if that is the case? You would sit tight and try and do the deal then, wouldn’t you?”
McCoist agreed, saying, “100 per cent you would, unless they have told them to do it before they get in. You would hope that; get some of the dirty work done before they come in, maybe, you would hope that is the case.
“But in answer to your question, I don’t know. I am devastated. You lot (Celtic fans) aren’t even laughing at us anymore. My mates are Celtic boys and they are messaging me asking ‘what is going on there?’ – there is nothing worse than getting sympathy from your biggest rivals.”
