Barry Ferguson knows what it takes to go to Celtic Park and win as a Rangers player and captain. Now the interim Ibrox gaffer will try to do it as a manager.
Around 2400 Rangers fans will be attendance at Celtic Park for the third Old Firm derby of the season in the Scottish Premiership.
But this time around there is little more than pride to play for as Rangers look to haul back the 16 point advantage the Parkhead side hold in the competition.
With a US takeover on the horizon for Rangers, there are bluer skies ahead with a new sporting director and management team to follow.
Barry Ferguson sent a message to the Ibrox detractors with the win over Fenerbahce and victory at Celtic Park – which would be Rangers’ first in eight games in Glasgow’s eastend – would see a swell of support for his permanent appointment.
But a big part of getting a result is handling the vociferous Old Firm atmosphere, something Ferguson knows plenty about.
Barry Ferguson on time Celtic fans ‘crossed the line’
Barry Ferguson was in attendance in his ambassadorial role with Rangers during the club’s last visit to Celtic Park.
Celtic ran out comfortable 3-0 winners on the day, and whilst Rangers would get their revenge at Ibrox over Christmas, Ferguson got it in the neck.
Speaking about getting stick from the Celtic fans, Ferguson admitted that he’s always up for a bit of banter.
But the interim Rangers manager claims that some of the abuse doled out ‘crossed the line’ even if it comes with the territory of being a former Rangers captain.
“I don’t mind,” Ferguson told the press when asked about taking stick at Celtic Park. “I honestly don’t mind.
“Sometimes it crosses the line a wee bit, which disappoints me. But that’s part of being in the west of Scotland.
“I know I took a wee bit, but it was fine. I know what I was coming into. I think it will be a bit worse than when I was sitting in the director’s box. But I’m looking forward to it. These are the games you want to play in. These are the games you should look forward to.”
As for coming to Celtic Park for the first time as Rangers manager, Ferguson admits it’ll be an ‘interesting’ feeling prowling the touchline instead of the turf.
The Rangers manager knows that as an Ibrox star it doesn’t get much bigger than an away trip to Celtic Park and Ferguson claims he ‘can’t wait’ for kick-off,
“The one on Sunday, you don’t get much tougher,” said Ferguson. “But as a footballer, these are the games you’ve got to look forward to.
“As a manager, I can’t wait to go and sample it for the first time on the touchline. That’ll be interesting.”
Watch all of Barry Ferguson’s goals v Celtic
Barry Ferguson made his Old Firm debut at Ibrox and the Rangers legend went on to make 39 appearances against Celtic, scoring three goals.
The Rangers legend, 47, was famous for his midfield aggression and technical quality, with Ferguson’s puffed out chest a feature of the rivalry for a generation.
Ferguson’s first goal against Celtic came in a thumping 5-1 Ibrox Old Firm derby win which was in response to a 6-2 pasting the Gers had received in the first fixture.
A fresh-faced Ferguson opened the scoring after bursting deep from midfield and receiving a pass from Claudio Reyna and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
The captain’s effort laid the foundation for a famous victory, with Tore André Flo, Ronald De Boer, Lorenzo Amoruso & Michael Mols all finding the scoresheet.
Barry Ferguson’s second goal against Celtic came in the famous Old Firm Scottish Cup Final of 2002.
In an enthralling encounter that swung to and fro, Ferguson equalised for Rangers to make it 2-2 with a stunning free kick which was bent into Rab Douglas’ corner.
The match is most fondly remembered for Peter Lovenkrands’ last-minute headed winner from a raking Neil McCannn cross.
In what would prove Barry Ferguson’s final Old Firm goal, the Rangers manager stabbed home the Gers’ second goal in a 3-0 Ibrox victory in October 2007.
This is coincidentally Ferguson’s only goal against Celtic during his second stint with the club.
