Rangers Must Learn from Failures as Future Hangs in Balance | OneFootball

Barry Ferguson’s Rangers and the Harsh Reality of Ibrox’s Rebuild

Ferguson’s European Farewell Marred by Injustice and Inevitability

In a city famed for cathedrals, Rangers’ European journey came to a quiet end in Bilbao. It was less a roar than a murmur—a game that left Barry Ferguson railing against denied penalties but also, perhaps more tellingly, against a fate already sealed. “We should have had two,” Ferguson stated bluntly, but there was more resignation than fury in his voice.

Athletic Club exposed not just the fragility of Rangers’ backline, but the brittle nature of the club’s direction. Decisions went against them, injuries piled up, and any illusion of depth vanished the moment the bench was summoned. They gave what they had—unfortunately, it was not enough.

Ferguson’s commitment has been visible from the outset, but Rangers’ decay is not the work of months or even seasons. It’s the cumulative effect of years of missteps, poor recruitment, and inconsistent leadership. No one could have rescued this campaign—not even a club icon who knows the soul of Ibrox as well as he knows his own.

Ownership Change Offers Sliver of Hope

There was something telling in Ferguson’s post-match demeanour. Not the frustration over refereeing, but the fading of belief. “I just want my club to get back to where it should be,” he said, floating the idea of an ambassadorial role as if reading aloud from a farewell letter.

Where should Rangers be? It’s a difficult question for a fanbase that craves parity with Celtic but continues to trail them, not just in points but in structure, philosophy, and direction. While Europe has offered rare highs, these moments have masked a domestic stagnation that must now be tackled head-on.

The looming change of ownership could be the most significant development at Ibrox in years. Five meaningless league games and another potential Celtic treble stand in the way of real hope. What matters now is what happens after this season ends.

Photo: IMAGO

Rebuild Demands Ruthlessness and Smart Investment

“It’s a mountain,” Ferguson warned. He’s not exaggerating. Rangers need a clear-out of staggering scale. A new management team, a smarter recruitment system, a coherent strategy—all must arrive together.

The comparison with Ange Postecoglou’s early Celtic revolution is pertinent. He had a plan and players who fit it. Rangers, on the other hand, have haemorrhaged cash on deals that have delivered precious little. Danilo, Oscar Cortes, Nedim Bajrami, Sam Lammers, and Ben Davies cost over £20m combined and have failed to shift the dial.

Meanwhile, Celtic’s success with Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate and Alistair Johnston—recruited for similar or less outlay—illustrates how joined-up thinking delivers results and, crucially, resale value. Rangers are not just behind. They are operating in a different financial universe.

New Era Must Erase Costly Mistakes of Past

The Ibrox faithful may fantasise about skipping the remainder of this forgettable season. Their gaze is firmly fixed on the horizon, where new leadership could bring the discipline, ambition, and transparency that has been sorely lacking.

Ferguson gave everything, but he was asked to battle with broken tools. Philippe Clement, too, did all he could, but this was a campaign defined more by structural failure than tactical missteps.

Europe allowed moments of joy, but like wallpaper over damp, it merely delayed the inevitable renovation. Now comes the hard work. If Rangers are to climb from the foothills of mediocrity, their first steps must be taken wisely, without sentiment or compromise.

Because the climb is not just steep. It’s necessary for survival.