Alious
Barry Ferguson has dismissed the growing suspicion that Rangers don’t have the nerve for a proper title race, insisting the late collapse at Fir Park shouldn’t trigger a meltdown among supporters.
The Record Sport columnist and former Ibrox captain admitted the trip home after Rangers threw away a 1-0 lead against ten-man Motherwell felt brutal — the kind of result that hits you right in the gut. But he’s adamant it’s not proof that Rangers are mentally weak or destined to crumble under pressure.
According to Ferguson, there’s been a lot of noise in recent years suggesting Rangers lack the bottle when the heat is on. Some fans, he believes, have been waiting for this exact moment — a slip-up — so they can claim the team has “no stomach” for a title fight.
But Ferguson says that idea never even crossed his mind.
“I Don’t Believe This Team Is Weak”
While he admitted losing two points in the dying moments was hugely frustrating, Ferguson said a quick look at the league table actually reminded him Rangers are still firmly in the hunt.
He pointed out that only a couple of months ago Rangers looked completely out of the race, watching from the sidelines. Now they’re right back in the thick of it, and Ferguson believes fans need to accept that in a tight title battle, chaotic results and emotional overreactions are inevitable.
He insists the Fir Park setback felt massive — but it won’t be the last dramatic twist this season.
Two Key Reasons He’s Still Backing Rangers
Ferguson explained why he’s refusing to buy into the “Rangers have blown it” narrative.
First, he believes there has been a genuine shift in mentality at Ibrox over the last year. He doesn’t see a fragile squad anymore — he sees a hungry group that wants to fight.
Second, he believes people are underestimating just how difficult Motherwell have become under Jens Berthel Askou.
Ferguson praised Motherwell’s organisation, confidence, and style of play, claiming they’ve turned Fir Park into one of the toughest grounds in the league. He even highlighted a stat shared with him during the match — that Motherwell’s last home league goal conceded before Rangers’ opener was back in October.
Even after going down to ten men, Ferguson was stunned at how Motherwell continued to play their own football, saying the game barely felt like 11 vs 10.
In his view, Rangers won’t be the last title contender to drop points there.
Rohl Was Right — Even If Fans Don’t Want to Hear It
Ferguson acknowledged that Danny Rohl has taken criticism for suggesting a point at Fir Park may not be disastrous, because Rangers supporters hate the idea of accepting dropped points anywhere.
But he agrees with the manager’s reasoning — this is not a normal Motherwell team, and this is not a normal season.
And with the title race still so tight, Ferguson believes the bigger picture matters far more than one painful late equaliser.
Now It’s All About Hearts at Ibrox
Ferguson stressed that what happens next is crucial, with Hearts coming to Ibrox in what he sees as a must-win match.
He made it clear: performance doesn’t matter — only the result.
Rangers must find a way to win, even if it’s ugly, even if it’s undeserved, even if it’s scrappy. The only thing that counts is cutting the gap at the top back down to two points by the final whistle.
But he warned Rangers won’t have it easy, describing Hearts as organised, well-coached, and full of belief. He also pointed to their aggressive mentality shown in the Edinburgh derby, claiming they have the hunger and fight needed to stay in the race until the end.
Team Selection Questions — But Ferguson Understands the Logic
Ferguson admitted some fans were unhappy with the lineup at Fir Park, particularly with players like Tuur Rommens, Ryan Naderi, and Andreas Skov Olsen being left on the bench.
He was surprised too — but after hearing Rohl’s post-match comments, he accepted that Rommens and Naderi weren’t physically ready to start.
He argued Rangers cannot afford to rush players back too early at this stage of the season, especially with 12 matches still remaining. Losing key players now would be disastrous.
He also suggested Motherwell away may not have suited Skov Olsen’s style, and said he could understand why the manager held him back.
“If You’re Asking Me — I Have No Doubts”
Ferguson finished by saying Sunday’s match is the perfect opportunity for Rangers to silence the critics.
A win over Hearts at Ibrox would send a clear message that this team is ready for the pressure and capable of going all the way.
And despite the Fir Park heartbreak, Ferguson insists he has no doubts Rangers still have the bottle for a title fight — and he’s still pinning his hopes on Danny Rohl to deliver.
Alious
