Barry Ferguson has sealed a dramatic return to Rangers after being named as the club’s new interim manager on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Ferguson has taken the reins from Philippe Clement after the beleaguered Belgian was sacked on Sunday night following the 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren at the weekend.
A club legend at Ibrox as a player, Ferguson will be assisted in the role by fellow ex-Rangers players Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor, as well as Issame Charai, who served under Clement.
Former club captain Ferguson, who won five league titles across his two spells as a Rangers player, will address the media for the first time this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s trip to face Kilmarnock.
The 47-year-old will be in the dugout for the trip to Rugby Park as he seeks to inject some much-needed positivity into what has been a dismal campaign for Rangers.
Ferguson has been out of work since leaving Alloa Athletic back in 2022, having previously been in charge of Clyde and Kelty Hearts in the lower leagues.
Ferguson will take charge of Rangers when they face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Wednesday
Ferguson, McCann and Dodds were used to winning silverware during their time at Ibrox
Ferguson was most recently in the dugout at Alloa Athletic until his resignation in 2022
Although he’s been tasked with steadying the ship, Mail Sport understands it is unlikely that Ferguson would be offered the role beyond the end of the season.
However, if he was to do well, club sources have indicated that he could be retained in a coaching capacity under what is likely to be a new management structure next season.
Steven Gerrard has emerged as one of the early frontrunners, but no contact has yet been made with the former Liverpool and England captain over a return to Glasgow.
Gerrard spent three years at Ibrox between 2018-21 and led the club to a league title before departing for Aston Villa.
Having recently parted company with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, Gerrard is currently out of work. But, due to tax complications in Saudi, he is unlikely to work anywhere else before April. Mail Sport also understands that Gerrard would prefer a clean slate and a fresh start in the summer wherever he goes.
Other managers who have been linked to the vacancy include one-time Rangers defender Russell Martin, most recently in charge of Southampton, former Everton boss Sean Dyche and Derek McInnes, currently in charge at Kilmarnock.
Steven Gerrard is the bookmakers’ favourite for a return to the club he led to the Scottish title
In the meantime, Ferguson is the man tasked with restoring some positivity to Rangers, with chief executive Patrick Stewart insisting he will have the full backing of the board.
Speaking to the club’s in-house media channel yesterday, Stewart made it clear that Clement simply could go on no longer, despite having previously backed the under-fire manager last week.
‘Philippe and his team have worked tirelessly during their time at the club and have played an important role in developing the first team’s young players,’ said the Ibrox chief executive.
‘I want to reiterate, the issues we are facing run deeper than the manager. The ongoing football review seeks to address those issues, and we will continue to implement its findings in the coming weeks and months ahead of appointing a new, permanent manager.
‘When I spoke to RangersTV last week, I was clear that everyone is judged on results, and nobody will get unlimited time in any role at the club.
‘Ultimately, the team’s response following their early exit from the Scottish Cup was a cause for deep concern, leading the board to conclude that action had to be taken now.
Ferguson and Clement share a moment ahead of the Trevor Francis Memorial match last July
‘I want to wish Philippe every success in the future. He is a fine man whom I have enjoyed working with in my short time here so far.
‘I also want to welcome Barry back to the club. We appreciate him and his team stepping into the role at this difficult time.
‘Myself, the board and the executive team will give them our full support for the rest of the campaign.’
Backroom coaches Alex Rae, Stephan van der Heyden and Colin Stewart have also departed, whilst Charai, who only joined the club last month, remains in post.
Rangers, who trail reigning champions Celtic by 13 points at the top of the Premiership, are effectively in a state of flux at the moment due to the sacking of Clement and the prospect of new US investors buying a controlling stake in the club.
Club legend Ally McCoist insists a ‘long-term fix’ is required if Rangers are to close the gap on rivals Celtic.
Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist said: ‘I think there has been a weakness on and off the pitch to tell you the truth. So it is a combination of things.
Allan McGregor has also been brought into the coaching set-up alongside his former club and international colleague
McCann, Ferguson and Dodds will immediately set about lifting morale in the playing squad
‘It is going to be a long-term fix because the difference now between the two clubs is as big as it has been in a long, long time.
‘I know Rangers fans like myself can point to the 3-0 victory in the Old Firm derby (on January 2) but we are kidding ourselves on.’
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd expressed his relief that Clement had finally been put out of his misery.
These days a pundit, he told Sky Sports Scotland: ‘I don’t think there’s any surprise, or if there is one, it’s that it’s taken so long for it to happen.
‘I think we first kind of spoke about this round about October, when we felt as if this was only going to go one way, and it’s only got worse since then.
‘Philippe Clement mentioned it himself after Saturday, it was the worst performance since he arrived.
‘So, in terms of the progression of where the club was going, it’s no real surprise, because the performances, for me anyway, have been getting worse throughout time.
‘And Rangers Football Club have been left with only one choice, and that’s to remove Philippe Clement from his role as manager.’
