The one thing with Barry Ferguson being a pundit, is that it doesn’t take too much effort to find the times when he has criticised current Rangers players.
As the new Rangers manager, he now has to look a bruised and battered squad in the eye and convince them that there is still something worth playing for.
One position that has been unsettled all season is the centre of defence with a number of different partnerships tried throughout the season and Ferguson already hinting at what his preferred Rangers pairing is.
Who Barrry Ferguson wants to pick in Rangers’ defence
Against St Mirren, Clinton Nsiala struggled in a game that he will quickly want to forget, alongside Robin Propper, who got bullied for 90 minutes too.
Ferguson, speaking on the Go Radio Football Show in December explained who he thought was the strongest centre-half pairing ahead of Rangers Europa League clash with Spurs:
“My team, I would play Balogun, but he is 36 and it’s a quick turnaround. If he’s 26, 28, 30, I wouldn’t have an issue. It might be a change they’ll look to,” he said.
“I like the Souttar and Balogun partnership. I’ve always liked Balogun – I think he’s experienced, reads the game really well and he’s still quick for his age.
“They’re coming up against a team who attack you very quickly. That could be an issue with Propper as he’s blessed with no pace whatsoever. But he (Clement) has played Propper in the European games.”
The time for talking is over for Ferguson
Ferguson has also said that he would pick Dujon Sterling over James Tavernier, so it will be interesting to see what his first team looks like against Kilmarnock.
It’s easy making the decisions from behind a microphone but now he has to make them in real life.
Ferguson has promised an attacking team too, however, this is also another easy to make statement.
Philippe Clement was criticised for his inability to adapt to the Scottish game and for his struggles against the low-block – something the new manager has first-hand experience of in his time as a player.
He’s talked the talk, now it’s time for the Hall of Fame legend to walk the walk.
