Barry Ferguson Reflects on Rangers' 1-1 Stalemate with Celtic
If you thought the Old Firm could ever lose its edge—even with a manager's job hanging in the balance—Barry Ferguson’s candor after the Rangers and Celtic draw at Ibrox might prove otherwise. With the Scottish Premiership title chase still in the balance, the interim boss didn’t mince words about Rangers’ strengths and slips during the showdown.
The pressure was obvious, not just from Celtic’s relentless pressing but from a stadium anxious for a result. Ferguson admitted his pride in how Rangers stood tall, matching Celtic's energy and toughness throughout the 90 minutes. While the final whistle blew at 1-1, Ferguson pointed out that the margin could have been much wider if even a fraction of the chances had gone differently. Remember Leon Balogun’s header that rattled off the crossbar? Or Nico Raskin’s goal, chalked off for a razor-thin offside call? For Fergusson, these moments showed promise but highlights the club’s longstanding bugbear—finishing.
He wasn’t shy about calling out the need for improvement. "In the final third, our decision-making let us down," Ferguson said. He described how taking too many touches or missing the quick, incisive pass held Rangers back from taking command. These are the tiny details, according to Ferguson, that separate good teams from great ones—and they matter even more against a rival like Celtic.
No Holding Back on Big Calls and Player Passion
Talk naturally turned to refereeing. Ferguson didn’t go on a rant, but when asked about a controversial Celtic penalty claim, he let slip that in other parts of the pitch, it "looked a foul"—even if he didn’t want to dwell on it. Rangers fans have long memories for those small margins, especially when the stakes are sky-high.
Inside the squad, fire was as strong as ever. Filip Černý, subbed off with visible frustration, became a talking point in itself. Instead of dampening the mood or chalking it up to ego, Ferguson spun it as a sign of genuine passion—a kind of edge he expects from players wearing the Rangers shirt. Wanting to stay on when the game’s in the balance? That’s never bad in his book.
Midfield also got its due. Connor Barron, paired with Raskin, stood out for his work rate and intelligence. Ferguson singled him out for praise, highlighting how Barron is turning energy into real quality, helping Rangers both in transition and when under sustained Celtic pressure. Their partnership is still growing, but seeing it click on derby day does offer a small silver lining amid the draw.
As interim manager, Ferguson still faces doubters—some calling his credentials into question since his appointment. When asked about the skepticism, he didn’t entertain it for long. He labeled much of the outside criticism "laughable," insisting that his knowledge of the club and its needs make him the right man for the job. But even more urgently, he called on the board to make a decision about the manager’s position—fast. "The rebuild needs to start now," Ferguson said, sounding both fired up and insistent. Waiting for the dust to settle means another season could slip away, and he's made it clear he’s ready to lead from the front, reshaping the squad and style to match Rangers’ ambitions.
The draw against Celtic may not have been the dramatic victory fans craved. But in Barry Ferguson’s words—and his refusal to sugarcoat the team’s shortcomings—a path forward seems clearer, if not easier. Rangers have the resilience and grit, but it’s the little details and swift decisions off the pitch that now demand all the attention at Ibrox.
