The Rangers icon, Barry Ferguson, spoke at length after being officially unveiled as a new interim director of the club.
Ferguson, who won 15 trophies through two sparkling spells in the Rangers midfielder, spoke with passion about his childhood club, the requirements he will place on his players and his newly appointed staff, and his route Left field to a coveted management position.
He also gave an overview of his first 36 hours in the role and some indications on what could be in reserve for the Rangers and their fans in the coming months.
Here are some of the remarkable bits …
New coach staff “not yes men”
Ferguson selected the former teammates of the Rangers Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor as lieutenants and was relieved by the speed with which the three agreed to join him.
The three coaches are among the Rangers teams as players and represented Scotland, the 43-year-old goalkeeper McGregor, only retiring at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
McCann managed Dundee, while Dodds took care of Inverness Caledonian Thistle having been assistant to the County of Ross between 2014 and 2017. The two worked in the media, mainly for the BBC.
“Neil and Billy have management experience at a good level,” said Ferguson. “Alongside Allan, they played with the club, know requests and expectations, which was also important to me.
“They sparkle on the place, the big characters, like to enter among the boys and it is important because the last two weeks have been difficult.
“It was important that I have the right people. These are not yes men.”
Ferguson did not plan the return of management …
It has been almost three years since Ferguson resigned from his last management position with Ligue 1 Alloa Athletic.
He had been in charge for nine months and had left the eighth club in the third level table. Before that, he had spells on the fourth level with Clyde and Kelty Hearts.
Since then, Ferguson said that he had appreciated the “quiet life”, working with the rangers as a club ambassador, and has not had immediate plans to return to the canoe until this Opportunity arises.
When asked if he felt ready to take up the challenge of such huge work, Ferguson’s response was robust and categorical.
“I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t do it,” he said.
He added: “I took another route as an ambassador.
“Did I know how to return to training and management?” If I’m brutally honest, I didn’t think about it. But when this telephone call arrives, there was no way that I was going to refuse.
“I’m desperate to start. I loved being on the grass today with the players and I can’t wait to be on the touch line tomorrow.”
… and refuses to discuss the long -term role
“I did not even think about this,” replied Ferguson frankly when he asked him questions about the prospect of taking the post permanently.
The 47 -year -old man was naturally not prepared to ruminate his future in the long term, preferring to keep the accent during the first trip on Wednesday to Kilmarnock.
“My state of mind obtains a result tomorrow,” he continued. “It’s a match at a time. Lots of games to come …
“I am here until the end of the season and I will give him everything I have to try to get results for this football club.”
Tavernier will remain captain
Longtime captain James Tavernier has not escaped the criticism of fans during the disappointing campaign of the Rangers League to date.
The most prolific defender in the history of British football, the 33 -year -old man has had the armband since 2018.
During a five -hour visit to the Rangers training ground on Monday evening with his coaches, Ferguson spoke to Tavernier and remains convinced that he is the right man.
“I don’t think it was necessary to change,” he said. “I had a good conversation with James last night; He entered while we were to know certain staff members.
“I spoke to him, I looked him in the eyes and I have no doubt that he will give me 100% to direct this club until the end of the season.”
“ Open door ” for the talents of the academy
Bailey Rice and Findlay, eighteen, were appointed by the new boss when he discussed the development of the talents of the Rangers Academy.
FERGUSON – which has made its way in the Dick Advocaat Rangers team at the age of 18 – stressed the importance of passing players at home and suggested that it would be willing to give to youth are luck.
“If they are quite good, I will have no problem playing them,” he said.
“The door is open to young players and it is important as a club that you always produce yours. I will do a lot of work to try to progress these guys as footballers.”
