One of the main criticisms aimed towards Philippe Clement during his final few months at Rangers was his maddening desire to pick out even the most inconsequential positives after a poor result.
But, at the risk of parroting the now-departed Belgian after Barry Ferguson’s Ibrox homecoming fell flat against Motherwell on Saturday afternoon, there is at least something to keep a disillusioned Rangers fanbase looking forward with a shred of positivity.
Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun made their returns from injury as Michael Wimmer’s side consigned Rangers to a third successive home defeat.
Robin Propper and Clinton Nsiala were ‘terrible’ during the midweek trip to Kilmarnock. Propper didn’t fare much better three days later – subbed off in a triple half-time change – while Nsiala wasn’t even in the squad.
The returns of Sterling and Balogun, therefore, are a welcome boost to Ferguson’s absent-minded backline.
Rangers saw John Souttar back in training on Friday, meanwhile. And though the Motherwell clash came too soon for a man Clement correctly labelled the club’s ‘best defender’, Ferguson confirms that Souttar should be present and available during Thursday’s trip to Fenerbahce.
Barry Ferguson expects John Souttar to make ‘a difference’ for Rangers
His obvious defensive qualities aside, Souttar’s experience, leadership skills and aggression should come in extremely handy for a Gers outfit who appear short on all of those attributes at present.
“We’ve got to work with what’s here,” Ferguson said in his post-Motherwell press conference. “Physicality is one thing I do like. It’s something we’ve been lacking.
“Souttar will be available for Thursday.”
Ferguson is convinced that Souttar – the Scotland international who has featured in only two of the last 14 Premiership fixtures – will add a much-needed sense of solidity.
“Going forward, you will probably see a difference [with Souttar back in the team],” the former captain adds. “We need a different type of player at times.”
Ferguson airs grievances as Motherwell triumph at Ibrox
Jack Butland’s horror mistake gifted Motherwell an opener inside ten minutes at Ibrox. Tom Sparrow would double the advantage on the half-hour mark with Cyriel Dessers effort early in the second period proving a mere consolation.
“I felt we were edgy as soon as we lost the first goal. It’s something that’s been about for a while. I thought on Wednesday we got rid of that but we didn’t,” Ferguson adds.
“The players do understand the mentality. They’re clear on that from the last four days. From what I’ve seen apart from the first 45 minutes today, there are players good enough here. They need a bit of help and guidance.
“I need to be positive. Work with them. I’m not going to try and kid people on. That level of performance in the first half is nowhere near what is needed. I spoke to them in the dressing room.
“Rangers fans can accept you not playing well but they can’t accept you getting run over the top of.”
