Barry Ferguson’s hopes of securing the Rangers managerial role on a permanent basis suffered a significant blow following the team’s recent Europa League exit. Their 2-0 aggregate loss to Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals marked the end of their European campaign – a last glimmer of hope in what has been a largely disappointing season. Although the defeat isn’t seen as a disgrace, it leaves Rangers with just five remaining Premiership matches, none of which hold much significance except for a high-profile clash against Celtic.
Despite that, Barry Ferguson won’t be treating these fixtures as meaningless. With his future still undecided, the caretaker boss sees the upcoming games as an opportunity to strengthen his credentials and make a final push for the job. His performances in these closing matches could prove vital in swaying the board’s decision.
| Fixture | Venue |
| St Mirren | St Mirren Park |
| Celtic | Ibrox |
| Aberdeen | Ibrox |
| Dundee United | Ibrox |
| Hibernian | Easter Road |
Derek Ferguson, Barry’s older brother and a respected voice in Scottish football, believes there’s still a realistic path for Barry to land the job. In an exclusive interview with Ibrox News, Derek estimated his brother’s chances at “50-50” and urged the Rangers board to give serious thought to Barry’s contribution. He praised Barry’s no-nonsense attitude and the way he’s conducted himself in the interim role, particularly his ability to communicate clearly and make strong support staff appointments in Billy Dodds and Neill McCann – both experienced in the Scottish game.
Derek highlighted Barry’s positive impact on the squad, noting that his visible passion has resonated with the fans and inspired the players. He emphasized that while nothing is guaranteed, Barry has demonstrated key qualities that deserve recognition as the club considers its next permanent manager.
As speculation continues over who will take the reins at Ibrox, several names have surfaced. Steven Gerrard, despite some surprise, remains a favorite with bookmakers, while others such as Russell Martin and even José Mourinho have been loosely linked. Nevertheless, Barry Ferguson remains firmly in contention. His objective now is clear – to end the season on a high note with six consecutive wins. Should he pull that off, it may become increasingly difficult for the Rangers hierarchy to look past him.
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