Barry Ferguson has steadied the Rangers ship since his team of Ibrox legends swooped into Auchenhowie in place of Philippe Clement.
Whilst Rangers’ results have been mixed under Barry Ferguson, the former Ibrox skipper has got the club dreaming in the Europa League once more whilst also ending a near five-year wait for a win at Celtic Park.
As a US consortium completes their takeover of Rangers, it remains unclear if Ferguson will be handed the Rangers manager reins on a full time basis come the end of the season.
But with many believing Ferguson is successfully staking his claim for the Rangers gig, one former Ibrox striker turned BBC pundit has been highlighting the main difference between the Ibrox legend and Philippe Clement.
- READ MORE: Rangers regain long-held Old Firm win record at Celtic Park as US investors left with major headache
Rory Loy on ‘biggest difference’ between Barry Ferguson and Philippe Clement
Rory Loy came through the Rangers Academy and knows the pressure of expectation that comes with turning out for the Ibrox club.
After joining Rangers from Kilmarnock as a youngster, Loy only mustered two appearances for the Gers before moving on to Carlisle United.
Now working for BBC Sport as a pundit, Loy has taken the place of Billy Dodds and Neil McCann, who’ve returned to Rangers as part of Ferguson’s coaching team.
Speaking to the BBC Scottish Football podcast, Loy explains that Ferguson’s progress after the sacking of Clement is not complicated.
In fact, when it comes to simplifying the message for the Rangers team, it’s quite the opposite.
| Rangers results since Barry Ferguson appointment | Competition |
| Kilmarnock 2 – 4 Rangers | Scottish Premiership |
| Rangers 1 – 2 Motherwell | Scottish Premiership |
| Fenerbahce 1 – 3 Rangers | Europa League |
| Rangers 0 – 2 Fenerbahce | Europa League |
| Celtic 2 – 3 Rangers | Scottish Premiership |
“Barry Ferguson has been able to convey a clear message that players can understand and follow,” explains Loy.
“And that’s really shown and I think that’s where the difference lies. If you’re asking me where has it been all season, I just think a lack of understanding as to what’s required of them from the manager.
“Barry Ferguson seem to have got a clear message across and I think that’s the biggest difference.“
Loy also believes that any suggestion that Ferguson’s relationship with Rangers is the main driving force behind the up turn is greatly exaggerated.
”The whole ‘he knows the club etc’ is a small added bonus but I think way too much is made of that,” said Loy.
”I just think his instructions are clear, concise and the players follow it out to a tee.”
Rangers manager puts improvement down to tactical flexibility
Whilst Rory Loy puts Barry Ferguson’s progress down to clearer messaging, the Rangers manager has suggested it’s more to do with tactical flexibility.
Ferguson left Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers looking a fool when he switched to a back-five and stunned Celtic Park with a 3-2 victory over the weekend.
That tactical change has come after a period of real rigidity under Clement, something Ferguson highlighted heading into the Old Firm.
“When I watched them [under Philippe Clement], I didn’t really know the game plan, so that was something I sat down with the coaching staff to try and change,” said Ferguson.
“Now we are pretty flexible, not as flexible as I would like to be, but listen, that takes a bit of time because it’s obviously been a hectic period.”
