Alious
Rangers will bring an underwhelming season to a close with a visit to Hibernian this Saturday, hoping to finish on a more positive note following a turbulent domestic campaign. While the club enjoyed a respectable Europa League run that sustained interest late into the season, their domestic form has been dismal. Celtic wrapped up the Premiership title with four games to spare and edged Rangers in a controversial League Cup final. Worse still, a shock Scottish Cup defeat to Queen’s Park sealed Philippe Clement’s fate, ending his tenure prematurely.
Barry Ferguson stepped in as interim boss following Clement’s departure, and although results have been mixed, two recent wins have helped ease tensions. Despite having little left to fight for, Ferguson has continued to field consistent line-ups, favoring experience over experimentation—a decision that’s drawn criticism from within.
Former Rangers midfielder and Ferguson’s brother, Derek Ferguson, shared his disappointment with *Ibrox News*, expressing frustration that no young players have been trialed during this transitional period. “Barry has built rapport with these players and will stick with them again at Easter Road,” he said. “The only real letdown for me is not seeing some fresh faces—especially youngsters who could benefit from the exposure.”
With Ferguson’s own future at the club uncertain beyond this weekend, his conservative selections appear to reflect a desire to secure short-term results rather than use the remaining fixtures for squad development. Derek noted, “Barry’s had to chase wins, and you can’t blame him entirely for relying on regulars, even if some of them have underperformed.”
Meanwhile, the search for Rangers’ next permanent manager remains ongoing. Davide Ancelotti, once seen as the clear favorite, is still in contention but no longer a guaranteed pick. Barry Ferguson, along with British counterparts Sean Dyche, Russell Martin, and Gary O’Neil, remains under consideration.
Ultimately, Ferguson’s reluctance to give opportunities to youth may be viewed as a missed chance to shape the future—even as his own position hangs in the balance.
Alious
