Barry Ferguson: Embracing Pressure and Leading Rangers Through Turmoil

Barry Ferguson discusses his coaching journey with Rangers, embracing pressure, and preparing for the high-stakes match against Celtic.

Barry Ferguson might be in his job as Rangers head coach for just four games - somehow it feels like a whole lot more - with a tumultuous fifth to come on Sunday away to Celtic. In that short time, the former Ibrox captain says he's learned things about himself.

"I've been surprised that I've not went off my head as much," he said, smiling. "I'll put that down to maturity. I'm 47 now. So at some stage, you've got to mature."

He was talking on Wednesday afternoon, before the bedlam-inducing night against Fenerbahce. Surely in Rangers' history there's never been a home loss - a record fourth in a row - that's sparked such joyous scenes. The surreal nature of the occasion is in keeping with a team that almost defies description at this point.

Ferguson says he's calmer now than he used to be, but his players - for good and ill - are putting his karma to the test. "As a player, I was feisty, I was angry, but that was just me," he said. "It was just passion. I kind of let it overstep the line at times, but that's what happens when you're young. I will lose the head from time to time, but I've got things that I can do to try and calm myself down. And I've got a good staff behind me as well, which is important."

Having seen off Fenerbahce on penalties, there's another howitzer up next. As his team prepare for the biggest domestic challenge by far, Ferguson opened up on other things that have changed since he took over from Philippe Clement, a position he will hold until the end of the season.

Now that he's on the inside, has he altered his view on any of the Rangers players he maybe once criticised and now coaches? "A number of them," he replied. Cyriel Dessers is unquestionably one of them.

"Yeah, look, I've always said that the one thing you can't label against big Cyriel was his work-ethic," said Ferguson. "He's a grafter. I just think his positional sense at times could be better. We've spoken about it. He understands that. There's parts of his game that he knows he can improve and we know we can improve him. He's very open. And a lot of the boys are like that."

As a pundit, Ferguson thought he could see what was wrong with Rangers - or at least, part of what was wrong. "I just felt watching the team, it was a bit pedestrian at times," he said. "That's maybe a European style and I totally get that. I just think when you play at a club like Rangers, it needs to be real high tempo. When I watched them, I didn't really know the game plan."

Ferguson is still a rookie at this level and on Sunday he's going up against a veteran winner in Brendan Rodgers. Life is weird. A few short weeks ago he was looking forward to a holiday in the sun with his wife. Now this.

"If I wasn't here I'd have been lying beside a pool with a cocktail. I had to cancel my holiday. When I'm standing on that sideline, yeah, I'm up and down and ranting and raving a bit, but I wouldn't change it."

He said he survived on three or four hours sleep a night for the first 10 whirlwind days. Did he even get as many as three or four on Thursday into Friday? "Long hours, but it can be 24-7 for me," he explained.

It's been a fair old spin so far. A 2-0 deficit against Kilmarnock, which they overcame. A 2-0 deficit at home to Motherwell, which ended in defeat. That sensational performance in Istanbul, that spectacular act of escapology at Ibrox on Thursday.

Now that he's back to domestic business he returns to matters close to home. "Motherwell - it hurt me," Ferguson said. "I said to the players afterwards, 'it's going to hurt me Saturday night, it's going to hurt me Sunday, it better hurt you the same'. It was a horrendous result. I suffered. It was sore. On Sunday, I couldn't get it out of my head. That's important to me because you've got to hurt after defeats. I don't want somebody getting away and just thinking, it's only a game of football. It's not just a game of football."

He says that the greatest piece of advice he ever received in football was from Walter Smith. 'Meet everything head-on' his former manager at Rangers once told him. It's a creed he was always going to stay true to once the call came in the wake of Clement's exit.

"Look, there was always going to be a bit of negativity (to his appointment)," he said. "I have no issue with that. Negativity - I've been used to it all my days. Until people actually know me personally, football's my life. I've got all my badges. I understand the game. It's a game that I love. When a club that you've supported as a nipper and went on to play for and then captain offers you this opportunity, I'd be an absolute headbanger if I said no. People think I'm a strange character, because I do enjoy pressure. I knew what I was getting into."

What he's getting into on Sunday at Celtic Park is another challenge - the biggest one because it's the next one. He lives day-to-day now and wouldn't have it any other way.

What to Read Next

Rangers Football Club in Advanced Talks with US Investors for Potential Takeover
Football

Rangers Football Club in Advanced Talks with US Investors for Potential Takeover

Rangers FC confirms ongoing negotiations with US investors, including 49ers Enterprises, for a potential takeover, aiming to secure the club's future and financial stability.

Dundee FC's New Stadium Plan Faces Delays Due to Traffic Junction Dispute
Football

Dundee FC's New Stadium Plan Faces Delays Due to Traffic Junction Dispute

Dundee FC's new stadium plans are delayed due to unresolved traffic junction issues with Transport Scotland, testing the patience of the club's management.

Is St Johnstone's Relegation Inevitable? A Deep Dive into Their Struggles and Hopes
Football

Is St Johnstone's Relegation Inevitable? A Deep Dive into Their Struggles and Hopes

St Johnstone faces a critical juncture in the Scottish Premiership. This article explores their struggles, historical context, and the slim hopes of avoiding relegation.

Celtic's Liam Scales Defends Adam Idah Amidst Criticism Ahead of Crucial Rangers Clash
Football

Celtic's Liam Scales Defends Adam Idah Amidst Criticism Ahead of Crucial Rangers Clash

Celtic defender Liam Scales supports teammate Adam Idah against criticism as they prepare for a pivotal match against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

Rangers Condemn Unacceptable Fan Behavior in Old Firm Derby: Banner and Bottle Throwing Incident
Football

Rangers Condemn Unacceptable Fan Behavior in Old Firm Derby: Banner and Bottle Throwing Incident

Rangers have condemned the unacceptable behavior of fans during the Old Firm Derby, including a controversial banner and a bottle thrown onto the pitch.

Scottish Premiership Play-Off Showdown: Ayr United vs Partick Thistle - Live on BBC
Football

Scottish Premiership Play-Off Showdown: Ayr United vs Partick Thistle - Live on BBC

Catch the thrilling Scottish Premiership play-off quarter-final between Ayr United and Partick Thistle, live on BBC. Who will advance to the semi-finals?

Aberdeen Nears Milestone Signing: Nicolas Milanovic Set to Join the Dons
Football

Aberdeen Nears Milestone Signing: Nicolas Milanovic Set to Join the Dons

Aberdeen is on the verge of signing Australian forward Nicolas Milanovic, marking a significant addition to their squad for the upcoming season.

Dave King Confirms 90% Probability of Rangers Takeover by 49ers Enterprises
Football

Dave King Confirms 90% Probability of Rangers Takeover by 49ers Enterprises

Former Rangers chairman Dave King predicts a 90% chance of the club's takeover by 49ers Enterprises, highlighting the strategic benefits for Rangers in European football.

Can Derek McInnes Revive Hearts' Fortunes in the Scottish Premiership?
Football

Can Derek McInnes Revive Hearts' Fortunes in the Scottish Premiership?

Exploring whether Derek McInnes is the right man to lead Hearts FC back to success in the Scottish Premiership.

Daizen Maeda and John McGlynn Shine at PFA Scotland Awards 2025
Football

Daizen Maeda and John McGlynn Shine at PFA Scotland Awards 2025

Celtic's Daizen Maeda and Falkirk's John McGlynn take top honors at the PFA Scotland Awards 2025, marking a year of exceptional achievements in Scottish football.

Rangers vs Celtic: The Controversy Over the Guard of Honour in Scottish Football
Football

Rangers vs Celtic: The Controversy Over the Guard of Honour in Scottish Football

Explore the heated debate surrounding the guard of honour tradition in the Rangers vs Celtic rivalry, as Celtic clinches the Scottish Premiership title.

Hibernian's Historic Surge: Scotland's Emerging Football Powerhouse
Football

Hibernian's Historic Surge: Scotland's Emerging Football Powerhouse

Explore Hibernian's remarkable turnaround in the Scottish Premiership, equaling a historic unbeaten streak and securing a strong position for European football.

Rangers' Struggles Continue: Ferguson's Frustration Mounts Amid Old Firm Stalemate
Football

Rangers' Struggles Continue: Ferguson's Frustration Mounts Amid Old Firm Stalemate

Rangers' ongoing struggles under Barry Ferguson's management continue as they fail to secure a home win in seven games, adding to Ferguson's mounting frustration.

Celtic Transfer Buzz: Lagerbielke's Future, Rodgers' Strategy, and Serie A Blockades
Football

Celtic Transfer Buzz: Lagerbielke's Future, Rodgers' Strategy, and Serie A Blockades

Explore the latest football gossip surrounding Celtic, including Lagerbielke's potential move, Rodgers' tactical rests, and Serie A's transfer blockades.

Hearts Set to Approach Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes for Managerial Role
Football

Hearts Set to Approach Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes for Managerial Role

Hearts are preparing to approach Kilmarnock for Derek McInnes as their new manager, following a season of managerial changes and on-pitch challenges.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.