Philippe Clement let slip a two-goal lead the last time Rangers came up against David Gray but the Hibernian boss is expecting a different challenge under Barry Ferguson.
Philippe Clement got the better of Hibs in the early part of the season, Tom Lawrence netting the only goal of the game in a 1-0 Ibrox victory.
But that 3-3 draw at Easter Road very much sunk the nail deeper into Clement’s coffin at Ibrox, with Rangers’ abysmal away form not so much a black mark but a smear on the Belgian’s copybook.
Neil McCann has talked up Barry Ferguson after an impressive return to Govan but the interim Rangers manager is yet to win a game at Ibrox.
Ahead of the match, Gray has been talking about the differences between Fergie and Phil and any similarities between Barry’s situation and his own.
David Gray on Philippe Clement & Barry Ferguson ‘differences’
Rangers have lost four back-to-back games at Ibrox for the first time in their history heading into the Scottish Premiership clash with Hibernian.
Defeats to Queen’s Park, St Mirren, Motherwell and Fenerbahce hang over Ibrox like a dark cloud and there is big pressure on Barry Ferguson to turn things around.
Should Rangers concede two or more goals against Hibs, the Gers will match a staggering record set in 1894 when the club conceded two or more in six games on the bounce.
A total of 131 years later, Gray reckons Ferguson’s experience will be key to Rangers turning the tide after a desperate domestic season under Philippe Clement.
”There will always be slight differences within that,” Gray explains when asked to compare Clement and Ferguson.
“The new manager coming in and the staff he’s brought in with him. A lot of experience, a lot of experience in Scottish football.
”His two assistants as well have both been managers in the top league.”
The Hibs manager also touched on Ferguson’s passion on the touchline.
Outlining that Ferguson knows exactly what it means to play for Rangers, Gray admits Hibs are expecting that passion to follow through into the Gers team.
”Obviously Barry knows exactly what it means to play for the club to captain the club,” Gray said. “The expectations and the demands at such a big football club.
”The passion that he has you see that even at the side of the pitch even the way he gets right behind his team. So we’re fully expecting that.”
David Gray on personal ‘similarities’ with Barry Ferguson
David Gray and Barry Ferguson find themselves in similar situations at Hibs and Rangers respectively this season.
Whilst Gray was appointed at Hibs permanently in the summer, after a period of uncertainty the 36-year-old has the Edinburgh side 3rd in the Scottish Premiership table.
Gray has been awarded Manager of the Month for the second month on the bounce and has Hibs unbeaten in 15 games.
Ferguson hasn’t had quite the same opportunity to make that impact at Rangers but Gray acknowledges there are similarities in their respective situations.
”I can see why you can say it,” Gray said when asked about the comparisons.
”One thing he does do the same of myself at the football club is understand what it means to play for the club and the ins and outs at the football club.
”He’s a very passionate man, you can see that in the way he coaches at the side of the pitch as well so I think you can see why you would draw on similarities.”
