Derek Ferguson shares what he has noticed about brother Barry as Rangers boss, James McFadden sees it too
03/28/2025 10:00 AM
There’s nobody in the world who knows Barry Ferguson too much better than his older brother Derek.
Derek Ferguson began his senior career at Rangers in 1983 and remains the youngest player in the club’s long history to represent the first-team.
Barry is 11 years younger then Derek and saw his elder brother as his hero growing up in Lanarkshire. But Barry went on to eclipse the achievements of Derek.
Ferguson became one of Rangers’ best captains and went on to win 15 major trophies, thus one of the most decorated Gers of all-time.
And Barry’s legacy continues at the club with him now in charge as interim manager following the sacking of Philippe Clement.
Derek insists brother Barry Ferguson wants full-time Rangers gig
Derek, appearing on the latest Open Goal podcast, was visibly buzzing for his younger brother having watched him outwit Jose Mourinho and overcome Celtic at Parkhead days later.
And Derek believes, having looked in Barry’s eyes over the last few weeks, that he wants to secure the full-time manager position at Rangers beyond this season.
Co-pundit James McFadden completely concurs with Derek and noticed Barry’s desire for the permanent gig as soon as he walked through the doors at Ibrox in February.
Derek: “He’s (Barry) obviously looking at getting this full-time, you can see it. You can see it in his eyes that he fancies it.”
McFadden: “Oh aye, as soon as he walked in.”
Derek: “Listen, he’s in pole position and I tell you what, he will be so motivated. I can just see a difference in them (Rangers), it’s clear to see.
“But the proof is in the pudding, let’s see it up at a hard place to go (at Dens Park against Dundee). I don’t think it will be a gimme, anything but. But it’s a good wee test.”
Lee McCulloch shares Derek Ferguson instincts about Barry
Derek Ferguson isn’t the only ex-Rangers star to understand that Barry is currently the frontrunner for the permanent manager’s position.
Former Ibrox captain Lee McCulloch, who played with Barry between 2007 and 2009 at Rangers, admitted it would not surprise him to see the 49ers Enterprises install Barry as the new Gers boss.
McCulloch told PLZ Soccer in midweek: “He's turned the belief around, he's brought back a connection from the pitch to the stands, he's brought back a bit of fight into the squad.
"The results speak for themselves in Europe and the recent Old Firm game so I think he has put himself in a great position for whatever happens next season.
"It wouldn't surprise me (if Ferguson got the job on a full time basis). I think he is in his element and with all the Rangers managers he has had in the past and has learned from.
"I think he looks the part, he sounds the part and the most important thing, which he has been getting, is results so I think he is in a great position to go and set himself up for next season."
