Barry Ferguson said it only took five minutes to accept the manager’s job at Rangers.
But within 15 minutes at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock the former Ibrox midfielder must’ve been thinking ‘what have I got myself in for?’
Rangers were rocked by a rampant Killie start with Derek McInnes’ side racing into a 2-0 lead in Ayrshire.
But a monumental comeback from the Rangers team sparked jubilant scenes in Kilmarnock as the fans once again sang Ferguson’s name.
It was an emotional night for Barry Ferguson, who admits that he was a tad nervous when the first two goals flew in.
But with his Rangers team going on to hit four in reply, the Ibrox manager reckons it’s evidence that the winning mentality he lived and died by as a player is already washing off on his squad.
- READ MORE: McInnes fumes at ‘mental’ Rangers decision, stats lay bare Gers’ inefficiency from corners
Barry Ferguson rallies Rangers ‘within 48 hours’
”Oh, it’s a proud moment for me,” explained Ferguson at full-time.
“Listen, it’s to live the dream, obviously, to go and play for the club that you support, but then to go and captain, and then to manage.
“It’s a bit surreal, but after 15 minutes, I was wondering what was going on! But listen, at the end, I’ve enjoyed it.
“I told them in the dressing room, enjoy these moments, enjoy the wins. But listen, we’re back in tomorrow at 11 o’clock, and we focus on Motherwell.”
The frenetic affair between Rangers and Kilmarnock was defined by the Ibrox side’s never-say-die spirit in the face of real adversity in Ayrshire.
Kilmarnock were 2-0 going on three or four and Ferguson acted quickly to sub off the toiling Clinton Nsiala at Rugby Park.
But more than just his tactical changes, Ferguson has hailed his team’s mentality for coming back against Killie and reckons it’s taken only ‘48 hours’ to remind them who and what they’re playing for.
”Three months in terms of installing an attitude or a mentality? Listen, I’ve installed that in 48 hours,” beamed Ferguson.
”Apart from the first part of the game, I thought the group of players, listen, I’m giving them huge credit for that, because this is a tough place.
“I think, I don’t know the stats of the record books, I don’t know how many teams have come here and been 2-0 down, and come back and beat them 4-2 pretty convincingly.
“So, I’m going to give my players credit. Because I don’t think they’ve had enough throughout this season. So, it’s about time they gave a wee bit. But listen, I need to see more than that.”
Can Barry Ferguson land Rangers manager’s job full-time?
Rangers fans have lauded Barry Ferguson for his ‘passion’ on the sidelines and there’s an excitement building at Ibrox with the manager’s appointment.
It’s not just the victory for Ferguson, but the manner of it, that has stirred Rangers fans and given them cause for belief in what’s been a heavily criticised squad.
The result and performance means Barry Ferguson – who won’t get carried away with talk of taking the job permanently – has passed his first test as interim boss.
Whilst domestic success is real long-shot this season, Ferguson is set to take the team into the Europa League and a clash with Fenerbahce.
It’s a free hit for the Rangers team and the club’s interim manager but progress in that competition threatens to build up the momentum at Ibrox like a steam-train.
Clearing the Turkish giants would also be a sizeable hurdle in convincing Rangers fans, and the club’s prospective new owners, that maybe there is something to consider going into next season.
Before then, Rangers host Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership with Barry Ferguson and his backroom staff to get a hero’s welcome on their return to Ibrox.
Whether the former Rangers captain is a serious candidate for the job full time is far too early to say of course.
But the former Rangers captain certainly looks good in a blue suit and pair of brown brogues.
