Prospective new Rangers owner Andrew Cavenagh would’ve been impressed like the rest of us watching Barry Ferguson prowl the Ibrox touchline in recent weeks.
The Ibrox legend has stepped into the interim Rangers manager role with aplomb, guiding Rangers to penalty kicks victory over Fenerbahce and a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Ferguson also led Rangers to victory at Celtic Park, whilst there’s a feeling the former Rangers captain has brought back a sense of pride to the club.
Andrew Cavenagh was in attendance at both matches as the healthcare mogul prepares to take over at Rangers alongside the 49ers Enterprises group.
But whilst the American will surely have been impressed with what he’s seen in the dugout, Marvin Bartley reckons Barry Ferguson will be secretly hoping the Rangers takeover deal doesn’t go through.
Marvin Bartley explains Barry Ferguson US takeover comments
Marvin Bartley was speaking amid a growing clamour for Barry Ferguson to be given the Rangers manager’s job full-time.
Gers legend Ferguson put together a staff of Rangers legends following the sacking of Philippe Clement at the beginning of March.
Since then Ferguson has steadied the ship and made progress in Glasgow whilst fans are beginning to develop a synergy with an under-fire Rangers squad.
But Bartley reckons Ferguson would’ve preferred that the club’s new American owners weren’t coming into Ibrox because it dents his chances of getting the job full-time.
“From a selfish point of view as well I think from Barry looking at it he’d probably prefer there not be a takeover,” Bartley told Clyde Superscoreboard (26/03/25 at 1:39:15).
”He’d probably prefer it to stay the way that it is. I think that gives him a better chance of actually getting the job.”
Expanding on the comments, Bartley believes that Rangers’ prospective new American owners will come into Ibrox with a shortlist of their own candidates.
Whilst Ferguson’s form means he could be on it, with the current regime in charge perhaps the former Rangers captain would be viewed as a ‘safe pair of hands’.
“I think it’s a lot harder to get into that position than it would if it was to stay in the hands of the current owners,” Bartley explains. “I really do.
”When new owners do come into football clubs and if they do come into Rangers they’ll have a list of people who they want to manage. That’s just the way it is.
”As I said, if Barry wins games of football he forces himself upon that.
“Whereas I think with the current regime he might be seen as a safe pair of hands to go forward if they weren’t to sell the club.”
Who is in next Rangers manager running?
Barry Ferguson is the clear frontrunner to land the Rangers manager’s gig full-time after an impressive first month or so in interim charge at Ibrox.
But there are other names being attached to the job.
Steven Gerrard faced Ferguson as a player and the former Rangers manager has been repeatedly mentioned alongside a sensational return.
Other names being mentioned include former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez, whilst Jose Mourinho admitted he’d be open to Scotland ahead of the double-header v Fenerbahce.
David Wagner has been linked to Rangers, with ex-Southampton manager and Rangers flop Russell Martin admired by Andy Halliday.
Derek McInnes turned down Rangers in 2017 but the former Ibrox midfielder’s name is never too far from the Gers discussion.
Rangers News revealed Gennaro Gattuso is also under consideration heading into the summer, with the US takeover expected to be complete by May.
