Ferguson takes charge of Rangers until end of season

Barry Ferguson, Neil McCann and Billy Dodds helped Rangers win the League Cup in 2002

Scottish Premiership: Kilmarnock v Rangers

Venue: Rugby Park, Kilmarnock Date: Wednesday, 26 February Time: 20:00 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app

Barry Ferguson has been appointed Rangers head coach until the end of the season following Philippe Clement's departure, with Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor assisting the former club captain.

The ex-Rangers and Scotland players' first game in the dugout will be Wednesday's Scottish Premiership trip to Kilmarnock (20:00 GMT).

Assistant manager Issame Charai led training on Monday and will also assist Ferguson, but coaches Alex Rae, Colin Stewart and Stephan van der Heyden have also now departed Ibrox.

Clement left the Glasgow club on Sunday, a day after a 2-0 home defeat by St Mirren left Rangers 13 points behind league leaders Celtic.

Rangers say "a new, permanent manager will be appointed in the coming months".

And, as Patrick Stewart welcomed Ferguson back to the club, Rangers' chief executive again stressed that "the issues we are facing run deeper than the manager".

Stewart had said as much last week after backing Clement following Rangers' shock Scottish Cup home defeat by second-tier Queen's Park, but although his side thereafter won away to Heart of Midlothian, losing two in a row at Ibrox sealed the Belgian's fate.

"When I spoke to RangersTV last week, I was clear that everyone is judged on results and nobody will get unlimited time in any role at the club," Stewart said.

"Ultimately, the team's response following their early exit from the Scottish Cup was a cause for deep concern, leading the board to conclude that action had to be taken now."

Stewart, meanwhile, wished Clement success in the future and described him as "a fine man".

The change of manager comes as Rangers continue an "ongoing football review" that seeks to address the wider issues Stewart perceives at the club and amid talks with San Francisco 49ers' investment wing about a takeover expected to be completed between April and June.

Allan McGregor made his final Rangers appearance in 2023

Ferguson, 47, previously managed Clyde, Kelty Hearts and Alloa Athletic, while McCann, 50, has had spells in charge of Dundee and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Dodds, 56, was Ross County assistant and later managed Inverness, while goalkeeper McGregor, 43, had two spells with Rangers.

"We appreciate him and his team stepping into the role at this difficult time," Stewart said of Ferguson.

The former midfielder and ex-winger McCann helped Rangers win two domestic trebles, with Ferguson winning five league titles and 15 trophies over two spells.

McCann has nine winners' medals from his playing days at Ibrox, including three in the top flight and former forward Dodds won all three major domestic honours once with Rangers. The trio, who won a combined 97 international caps, have worked as media pundits of late.

McGregor's first spell at Rangers coincided with Ferguson's second stint and the ex-goalkeeper won 13 medals with Rangers and 42 Scotland caps. He left Rangers as a player in 2023.

Rangers are next at home to Motherwell on Saturday (15:00) and will play both legs of their Europa League last-16 tie with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce as well as an away league game against Celtic before the March international break.

Fenerbahce host Rangers on 6 March, with the return at Ibrox seven days later.

The next Old Firm fixture is at Celtic Park on 16 March.

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