Barry Ferguson knows what it takes to come through at Rangers and don the number six jersey in the heart of the Ibrox midfield.
The interim Rangers manager is among the club’s greatest ever youth products, Barry Ferguson coming through at Rangers as a teenager and purring his way through two spells at Ibrox.
But Ferguson wouldn’t have had such a magnificent climb through the Ibrox youth ranks had it not been for the support of the club’s coaches and infrastructure.
And when it comes to Bailey Rice, Ferguson took another swipe at the outgoing Philippe Clement and doubled down on suggestions the teenager is behind in his development.
Barry Ferguson doubles down on Bailey Rice claim
Prior to Philippe Clement taking charge at Rangers, Michael Beale talked up Bailey Rice and claimed the kid was ‘ready’ for the Ibrox first team.
But Rice struggled to break into Clement’s team, something which Barry Ferguson believes is to the midfielder’s detriment.
Speaking earlier in the season, Ferguson claimed Rice is ‘behind in his development’ with the comparable figure of Motherwell’s Lennon Miller, a former youth side teammate, heaping the pressure on the teenager.
After Rice impressed in the 4-0 demolition job of Aberdeen, Ferguson reiterated that suggestion after admitting the kid has what it takes to follow in his footsteps and don the famous number six jersey.
“Yes I think he can be a number six for Rangers,” said Ferguson when asked the question. “Again, I get asked quite a lot why you’re not playing him.
“I don’t think he’s ready to play every single game. Now Bailey will say otherwise, which I have no problem with. But he’s got all the attributes that’s needed for me to play in that position.”
When asked to explain those ‘behind in development’ claims, Ferguson added: “He just needs a bit of work. So that would be a pre-season. He should, in my opinion, have been playing more regularly before I came.
“But as I said, I think he’s behind development and needs to work on things. It’s something we’ve been speaking about and working on. He’s been tuning in and that’s all you can ask from a young player who everyone knows highly of.”
Bailey Rice ‘happy’ with current situation at Rangers
The comments of Barry Ferguson come after Bailey Rice responded to the pre-match press conference ahead of the win over Aberdeen.
Rice, who is still only 18, was asked about the opportunities at Rangers this season and claims that whilst others have more freedom to play, the conditions at Ibrox are special.
“Obviously I’d have liked to play more games but whenever I’ve had a bit of a chance I’ve took them and showed what I can do,” Rice said. “So hopefully moving on to next season I can get more of them.
“People can say it’s been slow but at the end of the day this is Rangers, it’s a lot harder and a lot more demanding than any other club. I’ve been happy with how it’s been.
“I have the confidence in myself, I always back myself. But at the end of the day it’s up to the gaffer to decide who’s going to start the other one.”
