Rangers have had a difficult week, but this is nothing new for them.
The rollercoaster contest at Kilmarnock on Wednesday night was only part of it for Rangers fans, with the ultimate 4-2 triumph giving Barry Ferguson a pleasing finish in his first game in command.
However, Ferguson’s selection to replace Philippe Clement, whose dismissal seemed inevitable, has startled some as the Gers seek a good finish to a poor season.
Sutton is astonished by the Rangers board decision.
According to Chris Sutton, Ferguson’s employment offer from Rangers is a “major shock.”
Speaking to the Daily Record (28 February), the former Celtic player claimed he was taken aback by Patrick Stewart and the Gers board’s decision to appoint Ferguson, but less so by the departure of Clement.
Sutton did express admiration for legendary Ibrox captain Ferguson, who won 15 major trophies in two spells as the team’s midfielder.
However, the commentator, who was part of the Sky Sports commentary team on Wednesday evening (26 February) during the frantic opening night against Kilmarnock, also made the humorous insinuation that Rangers had hired Ferguson directly from his position as a newspaper columnist.
“It wasn’t a shock to see Rangers sacking Philippe Clement – even though Patrick Stewart had backed him just a few days earlier,” Sutton told the BBC.
“But it was a great surprise to see the Ibrox chief executive appoint Barry Ferguson as temporary manager. It makes me wonder what kind of transfer price Record Sport received for the deal. Perhaps they could not afford me.
“And after approximately 20 minutes at Rugby Park the other night, I expected to see him back in the papers by the weekend. Fair play to Barry. He received a response from the players – gradually. Rangers’ original answer appeared to be even worse.
Ferguson returns to Govan for the first time as manager on Saturday (1 March), with Motherwell the visitors, who snapped a six-game losing streak this week.
Ferguson has a free hit, plus Fenerbahce
If there was ever a time for Ferguson to take over as Rangers manager, it is now, when only so much of the club’s imagined project can be completed.
All that is realistically left to play for is some level of Europa League progress, and fans have every right to dream after their team’s success in the competition since the turn of the century, including two finals.
Ferguson must first deal with Motherwell, and an early record of two wins from two will alleviate any concerns the former captain may have.
Ferguson’s third game as a manager at this level will be against Jose Mourinho, who has won 21 major accolades during his stellar coaching career to date.
While Mourinho is serving a widely publicized four-game domestic ban in Turkey, this does not apply in Europe, and he will be in the bench against Ferguson.
The second leg takes place seven days later at Ibrox, with no weekend games in between, allowing for complete attention. However, just three days after the last 16 tie, the new manager’s inaugural Old Firm match at Celtic Park will include a tie rather than a blue shirt.
