Sky pundit backs Barry Ferguson to show Rangers class after 'never nice' Kilmarnock setback
02/27/2025 06:30 AM
Steven Davis was in the Sky Sports studio to watch old Rangers teammate Barry Ferguson mastermind a stunning comeback win over Kilmarnock.
The Northern Ireland legend, 40, played with Barry Ferguson during his first stint at Ibrox and knows all too well the fighting spirit which defined the Rangers midfielder as a player.
Steven Davis got a glimpse of that when it comes to Barry Ferguson the manager as Rangers came from 2-0 down to romp to a 4-2 victory at Rugby Park.
But it wasn't plain sailing for Ferguson and the Rangers team with Davis hailing one key decision from the interim Ibrox boss only 30 minutes into the game.
Steven Davis reacts to Clinton Nsiala sub
Barry Ferguson showed he has a ruthless streak when he hauled Clinton Nsiala off the park after only half an hour at Rugby Park.
With Rangers 2-0 down the young French defender was toiling and Kilmarnock were threatening to add to their early lead.
Ridvan Yilmaz was brought on and moved to right-back with James Tavernier putting in a stellar showing at centre-half.
Steven Davis has been reacting to the substitution and whilst he sympathises with Clinton Nsiala, the Ulster Xavi reckons Barry Ferguson and the backroom staff will be on hand to support the Rangers defender.
"It's never nice to be taken off that early in the game," Davis said.
"But I think Barry and the staff will get around him, explain their reasons why and help him moving forward as well.
"He's a young lad trying to learn the game. You're going to have setbacks as Barry spoke about.
"It's about how you react to that as well. I'm sure the staff will look after him."
Barry Ferguson 'not scared to make tough decisions'
Barry Ferguson also spoke about his decision to sub Clinton Nsiala off early against Kilmarnock.
This was only the 20-year-old French defender's eighth game as a professional player after joining Rangers from AC Milan in the summer.
Rangers have a number of injuries at centre-back and Nsiala was drafted into the side under outgoing boss Philippe Clement.
Ferguson insists the centre-back is a player of high potential and has backed the kid to bounce back.
"I’ve got to make decisions," Ferguson told the press after the game.
"Clinton’s a young player, he’s got huge potential, but it could have been a number of players.
"But I’ve been brought here to do a job, I have to make some tough decisions at times. I’m not scared to make tough decisions, but it worked.
"But listen, Clinton, we’re going to work with him, we’re going to make him better, and he’ll learn from it.
"So it’s nothing against the young man, as I said. I think he’s got a bright, bright future in front of him."
