Brendan Rodgers has asserted that Rangers under Barry Ferguson pose no different a challenge to Celtic than they did when Philippe Clement was in charge.
Ferguson, who took the reins at Ibrox after Clement’s tenure ended with a defeat to St Mirren on February 22, has already made an impact by guiding Rangers to a dramatic Europa League quarter-final spot with a penalty shootout win over Fenerbahce. Despite this achievement, Rodgers believes little has changed in terms of Rangers’ overall performance since Ferguson’s appointment.
While Rodgers acknowledged Ferguson’s strong connection with the Rangers fanbase and his successful playing history at the club, he noted that, from a coaching perspective, there has not been significant change in the team’s form over Ferguson’s four games in charge.
“I don’t see great change,” said Rodgers ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Parkhead. “I’ve seen the team come from 2-0 down to beat Kilmarnock, lose at home to Motherwell, win away at Fenerbahce, and then lose 2-0 over 90 minutes but progress on aggregate. I’ve seen tactical changes, such as moving to a 5-4-1 formation against Fenerbahce, but I still see a lot of the same traits.”
Rodgers added that a more extended period under Ferguson would be needed to properly assess his coaching and tactical approach. “You can’t judge a coach in just four games. It takes time to evaluate their work, professionalism, and consistency. Over time, Barry and his staff will aim to address the inconsistencies.”
Reflecting on the upcoming Old Firm game, Rodgers emphasized that no matter who is in charge, a Celtic-Rangers match is always a challenging fixture. “Whether it’s four games or 42, a game between Celtic and Rangers is always tough,” he stated.
Rodgers also acknowledged Rangers’ success in reaching the Europa League quarter-finals, but he believes Celtic’s ongoing dominance is just as significant. “It’s a fantastic achievement for Rangers, but people might not appreciate how difficult it is to manage at a club like Celtic,” Rodgers remarked. “Every game is a must-win, and the mentality required to succeed at Celtic is immense. Our focus remains on ourselves, and we want to continue extending our lead in the Premiership.”
Celtic captain Callum McGregor, who has been struggling with a calf issue, will train with the squad on Saturday morning to assess his fitness ahead of Sunday’s match. McGregor, determined to play, emphasized his commitment to being available for the big game, saying, “It’s a huge honour to play for Celtic, and you have to push through pain for these moments because they mean so much to the club and to me personally.”
While Rodgers will still be without Paulo Bernardo and Liam Scales, he is likely to have James Forrest back in the squad for the weekend clash.
Ferguson? Clement? It’s still the same Rangers … Brendan Rodgers sees no difference in challenge posed by city rivals under interim boss
