And now, the end is near….thankfully, as Rangers take on Hibernian at Easter Road in the last fixture of a hugely frustrating 2024/25 season.
On reflection, the dark clouds that hovered over Ibrox in the summer never lifted with supporter unease about the board, Rangers manager and quality of the playing squad proven to be justified.
The summer of 2025 is at least providing a modicum of excitement though with the 49ers Enterprises takeover set to herald a new dawn at a club in desperate need of direction.
The appointment of Kevin Thelwell is also a positive one, someone with a proven track record of running a football club.
Barry Ferguson doesn’t have quite the same sort of record and will pick his Rangers team for the last time against Hibs, this is who he should go with.
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Predicted Rangers XI vs Hibernian
Jack Butland returned to the starting XI against Aberdeen and served as a reminder of the level that he is capable of.
With a clear head and a fresh start, there is no reason why Butland can’t start as Rangers No.1 again next season.
Jefte looked like a new man against Dundee Utd, he was overlapping and taking on his opposite number.
With over 50 appearances, he has had to do his learning on the job this season in what has been a big step up.
The return of Neraysho Kasanwirjo suggests that he could well be the first signing of the summer despite a serious knee injury causing him to miss most of the season.
If Rangers weren’t considering taking up their option to buy, the Netherlands Under-21 international would just have been sent back to Feyenoord.
As it was at the start of the season, Leon Balogun and John Souttar remains the best centre-half pairing at the club, an indication of what work needs to be done in the transfer market this summer.
Cyriel Dessers to end the season as Premiership top scorer?
The midfield three has been Ferguson’s biggest contribution and most welcome parting gift.
There is a balance that was previously missing and the trio of Nicolas Raskin, Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande seem to get the best out of each other.
There is a freedom to attack that was previously missing.
The forward line should see Hamza Igamane at 9 and Oscar Cortes or Danilo joining Vaclav Cerny, however, with nothing to play for, it will be Cyriel Dessers to lead the line.
The 30-year old is now top goalscorer in the league by one goal from Daizen Maeda and it would be a shock to see Ferguson drop him now.
