There has become something strangely normal about Rangers reaching the latter stages of European competition.
In the 1980s and 1990s, it was a rarity for a much stronger Rangers squad than the one we see today to still be playing continental football in the middle of April.
Money has changed the game forever, ironically, with the former Rangers secretary Campbell Ogilvie’s Champions League dream being at the forefront.
It feels like 2025 could be the year of change for the club, a year when the foundations are laid on solid ground for a period of sustained, rather than one off success.
Which begs the question, what next for current Rangers manager Barry Ferguson?
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Barry Ferguson’s report card as Rangers manager
When the Hall of Fame legend returned to the club he loves, there was no doubt what his remit was.
Patrick Stewart explained the interim appointment, and that restoring standards, belief and unity were key ahead of what could be a very busy summer.
Philippe Clement might have done the hard work in Europe this season, however, Ferguson more than carried the mantle to extend the campaign.
Despite his managerial inexperience, he went toe-to-toe with Jose Mourinho and outsmarted him.
One swallow does not a summer make though.
At Ibrox, in the first leg against Athletic Club, it would have been easy to capitulate, instead, Ferguson got it right again, with the help of his coaching staff, unfortunately, he looked painfully out of his depth in the second and made a series of bizarre decisions.
The problems remain the same as they have been since Steven Gerrard was appointed.
Domestic football.
Is Ferguson a candidate to be permanent Rangers manager?
Not only are Rangers further behind Celtic, despite beating them on their own patch, performances have nose-dived too, despite James Tavernier backing Ferguson for the job.
Scoring goals isn’t a problem, but then having to score three goals to win games shouldn’t be something that Rangers have to do to win in the Scottish Premiership.
Giving teams a two-goal head start is also the sort of form that would get a permanent Rangers manager sacked.
Stewart wants to appoint a sporting director before a new manager, but the remit remains the same – dominate domestically.
Unfortunately, Ferguson just doesn’t tick that box, and with four wins out of 10, there is nothing to suggest that he could be the man to lead Rangers into a new era.
