Barry Ferguson has expressed his surprise and delight at being appointed as the head coach of Rangers until the end of the season, following the departure of Philippe Clement. The former club captain, now 47, candidly admitted, "I thought it would never come," reflecting on his long-standing aspirations for the role. Ferguson will be joined by familiar faces from his playing days, including Neil McCann, Billy Dodds, and Allan McGregor, as part of the coaching team, alongside Issame Charai, who assisted Clement.

Ferguson's management experience includes a previous role with Alloa Athletic, but this marks his return to a more prominent position in Scottish football. His first challenge will be to lead Rangers, currently second in the Scottish Premiership, into an away match against Kilmarnock. The club has undergone significant changes, including the dismissal of coaches Alex Rae, Colin Stewart, and Stephan van der Heyden, with plans for a permanent manager to be appointed in the coming months.

The club's recent struggles, including a disappointing home defeat to St Mirren that left them 13 points adrift of league leaders Celtic, prompted the managerial change. Rangers' chief executive, Patrick Stewart, acknowledged the deeper issues affecting the club beyond just the managerial role. As Ferguson embarks on this new journey, he aims to rally the players and reinvigorate the squad, emphasizing the talent present within the team. With key matches, including Europa League ties against Fenerbahce and an Old Firm clash with Celtic, on the horizon, the pressure is on Ferguson and his team to deliver results and restore confidence at Rangers.