“It’s hostile. They’re the sort of environments I like to go to,” Ferguson

The Celtic Star

·15 marzo 2025

“It’s hostile. They’re the sort of environments I like to go to,” Ferguson

Barry Ferguson has acknowledged that theRangers’ struggles at Celtic Park have lasted for a remarkable period of time…

Scotland’s Shame at theRangers vs Fenerbahçe, Ibrox, Europea League, 13 March 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Ferguson’s theRangers squad heads across the city tomorrow morning aiming for their first triumph at Celtic Park since Connor Goldson’s double secured a win for Steven Gerrard’s side in October 2020 during the forgettable COVID-19 season, when of course Celtic Park was empty.

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The Ibrox club have failed to defeat their Glasgow rivals in the east end across eight derby matches over the past four and a half years. However, interim boss Ferguson hopes his Europa League quarter-finalists can finally break that streak this weekend against Brendan Rodgers’ Treble chasers.

The interim Ibrox boss said: “I see you’ve been doing your homework! Yes, it is too long. It’s a tough place to go and get a result. We all have a way of approaching the game that I think can get us a result. If that approach is not working, then we can change it within the game as well,” the former Go Radio pundit said.

theRangers vs Fenerbahçe, Ibrox, Europea League, 13 March 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“That’s important to me. I’ve mentioned a number of times that we’ve not been flexible enough as a team. Now we’re starting to get that because we’ve had a wee bit of time in the grass.

“I look forward to Sunday. We’ll go and play a certain way that I believe, me and my staff believe, can get the right result. We’ll take it from there. Eight games is a long time. We need to go in and try and change that on Sunday. That’ll be our mindset on Sunday.”

Ferguson added: “I didn’t get much sleep after the [Fenerbahce] game because obviously the adrenaline is still pumping. I went home and watched the game, but I managed to get a couple of hours before we were back in this morning making sure that people were available and it was that kind of recovery day.

“So, there was a few walking wounded, a few took cramp and we just need to obviously wait and see how they recover tomorrow. Overall, if you look at both games, I think we deserve to be in the last eight.”

theRangers vs Fenerbahçe, Ibrox, Europea League, 13 March 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The interim Ibrox boss added: “As for who’s fit, I’ll find out in tomorrow’s session. In terms of us going 120 minutes, I’m not going to go into Sunday news as an excuse. They’re well looked after here in terms of sports science guys and masseurs, the food and the supplements they get.

“There’s one or two, as you’ve seen as I took off, that had minor issues. But they’re no major issues. I just need to see how they are after the session today.

“We’ve got some huge games coming up, some really tough games. Obviously, the one on Sunday, you don’t get much tougher. But as a footballer, these are the games you’ve got to look forward to. As a manager, I can’t wait to go and sample it for the first time on the touchline. That’ll be interesting.”

Scotland’s Shame at theRangers vs Fenerbahçe, Ibrox, Europea League, 13 March 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The former captain of the now defunct Rangers FC featured in 40 clashes against Celtic, but this will be his first from the dugout. When asked about the experience, Ferguson said: “How long have you got? Listen, it’s a place I always like to go and play. It’s hostile. They’re the sort of environments I like to go to. I want my players to go and embrace these stadiums. I’m sure I’ll get a nice reception when I’m standing at the touchline.

Barry Ferguson, theRangers vs Fenerbahçe, Ibrox, Europea League, 13 March 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“I need to focus on making sure my team go with the game plan that we’re thinking about. If we carry that out, we’ve got a right good chance of getting the three points.”

Conor Spence

27 August 2000: Henrik Larsson celebrates during the Scottish Premier League match against Rangers at Celtic Park. Celtic won the game 6 – 2. Photo: Stu Forster /Allsport