Barry Ferguson promised changes ahead of Rangers v Athletic Bilbao and the interim Ibrox manager has delivered.
The former Rangers captain was furious after the 2-0 defeat to Hibs with Ferguson ripping into the Rangers team after a fifth straight defeat at Ibrox.
Ahead of the Europa League clash, Ferguson addressed a pre-match press conference and promised that he would be making changes for the game in Glasgow’s southside.
And so that has proved, with Barry Ferguson turning heads with the Rangers starting XI as the battle fever builds ahead of Athletic Club.
Rangers confirm starting XI for Europa League clash with Athletic Club
Rangers have dropped Jack Butland after a succession of goalkeeping errors with Liam Kelly coming into the Ibrox starting XI.
Barry Ferguson has also started with a back five with Robin Propper coming in for the suspended John Souttar, the Dutchman starting alongside Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling.
Ridvan Yilmaz starts on the left with James Tavernier on the right, whilst Ferguson has gone for a midfield three of Nicolas Raskin, Bailey Rice and Ianis Hagi.
Vaclav Cerny will start up front alongside Cyriel Dessers as Rangers look to take an advantage into next week’s tie in Spain.
Ferguson has also called up two youngsters to the squad in young goalkeeper Rydnn Maguire and midfielder Aiden McCallion.
Rangers team to face Athletic Club: Kelly, Tavernier, Sterling, Propper, Balogun, Yilmaz, Raskin, Rice, Hagi, Cerny, Dessers
Subs: Butland, McGuire, Nsiala, Barron, Bajrami, Jefte, Igamane, McCausland, Curtis, McCallion, Danilo
Rangers fans react to ‘big Jack Butland call’
Obviously the dropping of Jack Butland has been the biggest talking point amongst Rangers fans.
One fan said that Ferguson had ‘made the wrong changes’ ahead of the Athletic Club clash whilst another worries that this is a ‘strange lineup’.
But one supporter offered a reality check saying ‘we wanted changes, we got them’.
There is plenty of backing for Ferguson’s decision too with one supporter saying you ‘love to see it’.
Generally, Rangers fans have been happy with the decision to bring Liam Kelly and Bailey Rice into the team with a simple message to the Rangers squad.
