The boss has been given the job until the end of the season – and has rapidly convinced his doubters with wins over Celtic and Fenerbahce
Interim boss Barry Ferguson would receive a “groundswell” of support to become the Rangers manager on a permanent basis- if he can reach the Europa League semi-final.
That is the view of Tam McManus in the wake of the Light Blues’ derby day victory over Celtic in Glasgow’s east end in front of American tycoon Andrew Cavenagh – who is the leading force behind the Rangers takeover.
He told PLZ: “Barry has been there as a player and understands what it takes to win at Parkhead.”
“He has won trophies at Rangers; I believe you just need to go in and shake things up a little; get the players to understand what it means to play for Rangers, and they have done so.
“I think he has got players playing better, I think he has got a system that suits certain individuals. People were saying ‘oh, Barry is going to go in and it’s just going to be old school – a dinosaur roaring at players’, I don’t see any sign of that at the side of the park.
Cavenagh had been in Istanbul to witness Ferguson’s side’s stunning 3-1 triumph over Fenerbahce before traveling to Scotland to catch the home leg as Jose Mourinho’s side was eliminated from the Europa League.
He was in the grandstand again at Celtic Park, where the Ibrox men won a rare home game against their opponents.
However, former Hibs striker McManus believes the manager needs to do more to persuade the consortium to extend his contract beyond the end of the season, with Athletic Bilbao up next in Europe.