Neil McCann names the one big problem Rangers must ‘eradicate’ starting with Hibernian

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For Neil McCann, the impact made by Barry Ferguson and Rangers’ new-look coaching team should not be understated.

And he should know.

As one of Ferguson’s trusted lieutenants – Neil McCann returned to Ibrox alongside Allan McGregor and Billy Dodds following the sacking of Philippe Clement – the former Rangers winger has been given a front-row seat in the attempted transformation of a club going nowhere fast under the previous regime.

And while results have been mixed so far, McCann insists there are positives to be taken even beyond that dramatic Europa League victory over Fenerbahce and the 3-2 away win at Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Rangers came from 2-0 down to beat Kilmarnock during Ferguson’s first game in charge. They fell two goals behind twice away at Dundee last time out but, again thanks to the brilliance of Cyriel Dessers, won on the road.

Ferguson’s Rangers have now won three successive Scottish Premiership away games. Before the former captain’s return, the Glasgow giants had triumphed in just five of the previous thirteen.

• READ MORE: Who is Barry Ferguson? Get to know Rangers youngest-ever and most passionate captain

Neil McCann highlights plusses and negatives of Rangers spell

McCann, speaking as Rangers prepare to welcome Hibernian to Ibrox in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off, believes that an improved away record has been one of the big successes of the post-Clement era so far.

He also highlights an ability to bounce back from disappointments – Rangers have found themselves 2-0 behind four times under Ferguson but lost only one of those games, if you include the penalty shoot-out victory over Fenerbahce – even if their defensive deficiencies remain a clear problem which must be ‘eradicated;

“Right up to a point, the away form was an issue,” McCann points out. “The level of consistency was always what was spoken about. 

“I always felt that there were really good players there but sometimes an opposition would ask them questions, particularly away from home, and they really struggled at times to answer it. 

“I think we’ve shown now going away from home that sometimes, it requires a wee change in terms of that formation. I think the information that we’ve given them as well. Having analysed everybody in the league this season through my previous job, you’ve got good knowledge of what can work but as I said that can be dictated to by the opposition. 

“I think our ability to change shape, the information we’ve given them, we absolutely have changed how we attack but we’re still conceding goals. As a coaching staff, that’s absolutely something that we’ve got to try and eradicate. 

“You can’t keep on giving opposition one goal but never mind two goals at the start.”

Rangers have shown ‘a wee bit of guts’ under Barry Ferguson

Hamza Igamane was Rangers’ hero at Celtic Park, lashing home a stunning 89th minute finish past Kasper Schmeichel. McCann has been glowing in his praise for Cyriel Dessers, meanwhile, Igamane’s fellow centre-forward proving to be the matchwinner at both Kilmarnock and Dundee.

Ranges also showed signs of their new-found resolve in the 2-1 home loss against Motherwell, threatening a result even after Jack Butland gifted Michael Wimmer’s side the advantage.

“On the flip side of that, I think we’ve shown that we’ve got a wee bit of guts about us, a wee bit of determination,” McCann adds. “There’s something about the group that we’ve all been really pleased about and how they’re reacting in games. 

“Even when you think about the Motherwell result that we were on the end of at Ibrox, we changed their shape again and they reacted well and were unlucky not to come away with something from the game. 

“There’s a mindset that I think the gaffer would want to change. He felt that had to be switched a wee bit and I definitely believe that we’ve got something now.”