Rangers rewarded for 'unusual' approach as Ferguson proves credentials

Yesterday at 10:30 AM

Barry Ferguson produced another masterclass as Rangers overcame Celtic.

The Gers interim boss had already outwitted Jose Mourinho over two legs in the Europa League, especially away from home as he did a number on Fenerbahce with a compact 3-4-2-1 formation.

He stuck with that for the visit to Celtic Park and has earned plenty of praise, including from Gers defender John Souttar.

Fergie also made Brendan Rodgers eat his words after he claimed there wasn’t much different about the team since the Ibrox hero took over.

And Neil Lennon heaped praise on ‘outstanding’ Rangers as he described how they got their tactics and press spot on.

Celtic actually had 72 per cent of the possession across the game but the Light Blues were clearly more effective due to how the interim manager had the team set up.

• READ MORE:Rangers hero labelled 'driving force' of Old Firm victory after showing up £11m Celtic investment

Rangers’ ‘unusual’ start vs Celtic

Rangers took the lead after just four minutes, Nicolas Raskin’s glancing header from James Tavernier’s corner dropping in at the far corner – a corner routine since identified as Billy Dodds’.

It was no less than they deserved after a really strong start in which they forced Celtic onto the back foot, playing the game entirely in their half.

Steven Naismith says starting so aggressively is an “unusual” approach in any game, let alone a derby.

He told BBC Sportscene: “It’s unusual. The first five minutes or until the first goal, the full game was being played in Celtic’s defensive third.

“What does that do? It sets the tone. It makes Celtic feel ‘we’re under pressure’. It was a direct ball, it went out for a throw-in.

“They came in the pitch, got a corner and another throw-in. It all led to a shot from the edge of the box that led to the corner for the first goal.

“That’s what Rangers wanted at the start of the game.”

Naismith on Barry Ferguson’s Rangers chances

Naismith also reckons Ferguson has a chance of landing the job permanently, after doing the same having been in interim charge of Hearts.

He added: “I wouldn’t be surprised. I was in a similar situation at Hearts when I got interim.

“It is an opportunity for him. He doesn’t know what is going to happen with a takeover or whatever that may be.

“All he can do is say ‘I am up for this job, I am good enough to do it and I have the understanding, backroom team and knowledge of the club’.

“For me he comes across in his press like a Rangers manager. He’s shown in this last two weeks he’s got the tactical detail needed.

“But this is only the first part. He needs to do it away to Edinburgh clubs, Aberdeen away. These are tough games that cause different problems.”