Rangers need only look south of the border for cautionary tales warning against the possible appointment of Barry Ferguson on a full-time basis.
And, in particular, at Manchester United.
Following a flying start to the Ole Gunnar Solksjaer era back in 2019/20 – Rio Ferdinand’s infamous ‘let him sign the contract’ rant after that comeback triumph over Paris Saint-Germain sticking in the mind – Man United handed the Norwegian a permanent deal following his initial interim spell.
Results unravelled pretty quickly, even if Solskjaer did go a lot closer to achieving Premier League success than his predecessor.
Speaking of that predecessor, Sir Jim Ratcliffe would reveal last week that it was partly down to fan sentiment why Erik ten Hag was kept on after the FA Cup final triumph. Following a disastrous start to the current campaign, Ten Hag was sacked soon after, to much expense.
So, while it feels churlish to say given the success of last week, Barry Ferguson has a long way to go yet before the returning Rangers legend is scribbling his name onto a piece of paper and shaking hands with Paraag Marathe.
Yet, in a preview of the debates yet to come, Andy Halliday and Craig Moore appear to be at the very different ends of the spectrum.
Craig Moore picks Barry Ferguson over Steven Gerrard for Rangers
Halliday is urging Rangers to take their time and see how Ferguson gets on against the sort of ‘lesser opposition’ the club have so frequently tripped up against while saving their stand-out performances for big European teams or their Old Firm neighbours.
Ferguson outfoxed both Brendan Rodgers and Jose Mourinho but also lost at home to Motherwell.
Craig Moore, however, has seen enough from those displays against Fenerbahce and Celtic to pin his colours on the Ferguson mast.
“I would take Barry Ferguson over a Steven Gerrard or Rafael Benitez any day!” the former Rangers captain tells Go Radio.
Gerrard in line for return while Rafa Benitez has been linked
Rangers News reported earlier this month that some amongst the San Francisco 49ers are keen on bringing Steven Gerrard back to Ibrox. The feeling is mutual, too. The man who won Rangers their only Premiership title since 2011 is interested in picking up where he left off.
Rafa Benitez, meanwhile, possesses comfortably the finest CV of any of the managers linked so far. Yet, at the age of 64 and following poor spells in charge of Everton and Celta Vigo, it is a long time now since Benitez was parading the Champions League, Europa League or La Liga trophies.
As of a week-and-a-half ago, however, Rangers were yet to make a formal approach for the out-of-work Benitez.
“Another notch on Barry Ferguson’s belt,” adds Stephen Thompson, a two-time Premiership champion under Alex McLeish. “He’ll be obviously absolutely delighted with the result [against Celtic] and make no mistake he wants this job long term.
“A lot of people are probably saying he won’t get the job long term or what does he have to do to get the job long term?
“Well, taking Rangers into the quarter-final of the Europa League and then winning at Celtic Park has certainly put him in a much, much stronger position than he was this time last week.”
