Ferguson proving people wrong as Rangers boss, says McCann

Neil McCann (left) is assisting Barry Ferguson until the end of the season at Ibrox

Rangers assistant Neil McCann insists interim-head coach Barry Ferguson has already proven doubters wrong over his suitability for the role.

Ferguson was installed until the end of the season after the departure of Philippe Clement in February and has led the Ibrox side into the quarter-finals of the Europa League and to a first win at Celtic Park since 2020.

Rangers followed up that 3-2 derby success with a 4-3 win over Dundee last weekend, coming from 2-0 and 3-1 down at Dens Park.

"I think that a lot of people maybe thought from his coaching CV that he maybe wouldn't even be ready to even take this position," said McCann of Ferguson, who left his previous post as Alloa Athletic manager in 2022.

"I think he's proved that wrong. It's not my place to tell anybody who is to get the job or not (beyond the end of the season). All we can do is work hard.

"He's trying to bring the character he had as a player, the demands he had as a player.

"I think we're showing that we've got a wee bit of guts about us," the former Scotland winger continued. "We've got a determination.

"There's a mindset that I think the gaffer was wanting to change coming in.

"He felt that that had to be switched a wee bit and I definitely believe that we've got something there."

'None of us frightened of a challenge'

With Athletic Bilbao up next in the Europa League and seven Premiership matches remaining, McCann acknowledged results could yet determine whether Ferguson is a contender to stay on as negotiations continue over a proposed takeover of the club by the US investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers.

"Of course," he said. "You would hope there's already an influence been happening because they felt they had to make a change, the board," he said.

"When a board makes a change in management team then clearly they are looking for a reaction and want results. All we can do is try and get them."

McCann, who supports Ferguson, along with Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor, again made it clear there is an appetite to stay on.

"As a coaching staff none of us is frightened of a challenge, not one of us," he added.

"If it was to be presented to us I don't think there would be any of us that would say 'not for us' but it's too far in the distance to even encourage that."