AliousBrendan Rodgers maintains that Rangers pose the same level of challenge under Barry Ferguson as they did with Philippe Clement at the helm.
Ferguson took over at Ibrox following Clement’s departure after a disappointing home loss to St Mirren on February 22. Despite a rocky start, he secured a major victory over Fenerbahce on penalties in the Europa League. While Rodgers acknowledged Rangers’ achievement in reaching the quarter-finals, he sees no drastic changes in the team’s approach under Ferguson’s short tenure and believes it’s too soon to judge his coaching credentials.
“I don’t know Barry personally, but I remember him as a player, and I know he has a strong connection with the Rangers supporters,” Rodgers said ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Parkhead. “Given his history and success at the club, he was a fantastic player for them.”
Reflecting on Rangers’ recent performances, Rodgers noted their comeback win against Kilmarnock, a home defeat to Motherwell, and their resilient display in Turkey. He acknowledged their tactical shift to a 5-4-1 formation against Fenerbahce but insisted that many familiar patterns remain in their play.
“It’s still early days,” Rodgers continued. “If we’re talking about coaching, tactics, and management, those things take time to assess. In the short term, Barry is someone the fans can relate to, and he looks happy in the role. But when it comes to coaching, I see similar traits: some strong performances, some inconsistencies. Barry and his staff will be aware of that and will aim to address it over time.”
Regardless of who is in charge, Rodgers believes that matches between Celtic and Rangers are always fiercely contested. “Whether Barry’s been in charge for four games or 42, an Old Firm game is always going to be a tough challenge.”
Rodgers also pointed to Rangers’ European success as further proof of Celtic’s own high standards. “Firstly, congratulations to Rangers for reaching the quarter-finals,” he said. “People might think what Celtic achieves is easy, but it’s not. Managing or playing here comes with high expectations—every game is a must-win. Rangers’ progress in Europe highlights the consistency and mentality of this Celtic team.”
As Celtic push for another league title, Rodgers remains focused on their upcoming fixture. “We want to bring our best performance to the weekend and hopefully extend our lead in the Premiership.”
Meanwhile, Celtic captain Callum McGregor is battling to be fit for the game. After training alone for two days due to a calf issue, he plans to rejoin the squad on Saturday before a final decision is made on his availability.
“I’m doing everything I can to be ready,” McGregor said. “Playing for Celtic is a huge honor, and you have to put yourself in the position many supporters would dream of. You push through the pain barrier because these are the games that mean everything—to the club and personally. These are the moments you live for as a footballer.”
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