"No-brainer" – Boss who plays 3-4-2-1 formation "wants the job" at Rangers

A manager who plays a 3-4-2-1 system is keen on becoming the permanent Rangers boss when the job is up for grabs this summer, according to his brother.

Rangers manager rumours heat up as Ferguson beats Mourinho

The Gers put their domestic troubles aside on Thursday evening to qualify for the Europa League quarter-finals, with interim boss Barry Ferguson getting the better of Jose Mourinho and his Fenerbahce side.

Despite a 2-0 defeat in the second leg at Ibrox, Rangers prevailed on penalties with Jack Butland saving two spot-kicks and will now face La Liga side Athletic Club in the last eight.

Talking after the game Ferguson said: “To play for the club and then captain it was obviously a dream but to stand on the sidelines and lead the team I grew up supporting was an amazing feeling.

“When I was appointed I know people said I wasn’t qualified or I wasn’t the right guy for the job, that just makes me even more determined. I’m going to give it everything for the next few months. the player are digging deep for me and that’s all I asked.”

Ferguson has been linked with the Rangers job on a full-time basis under prospective new owners the 49ers Enterprises, as has Rafael Benitez, who is thought to be keen on returning to the dugout with a move to Glasgow. However, Ferguson also wants to make the job his.

Ferguson “wants” permanent Rangers job as brother calls it a “no-brainer”

Talking to Ibrox News, pundit Derek Ferguson, older brother to Barry, said that the 3-4-2-1-style boss would like to stay in charge of Rangers and said it would be a “no-brainer for him”.

“He was already there in an ambassador role so he knows the ins and outs at the club. It was a case of him getting the right people beside him.

“Neil McCann and Billy Dodds are good appointments as well. He looks comfortable in the job, especially when dealing with the press. He looks the part and I think it’s a no-brainer for him to take it. The way that will happen is by getting results. The result against Fenerbahce was marvellous, brilliant. But you’ve got to remember that has been the case for Rangers this season – they’ve been excellent in Europe.

“What Barry’s got to do from now until the summer is win every game. If he does that he’ll get the job. That means beating Celtic at Celtic Park, which is a big ask. But on the basis of the Fenerbahce performance, the players are capable of that. I’m not surprised he wants the job full-time.

“I said to him, and this is going back a bit, I couldn’t fathom why he worked with part-time clubs in Scotland. The Clyde one was fair enough, getting your foot through the door, but some of the full-time teams in Scotland were willing to take Barry on but for whatever reason he didn’t want to go down that route.

“This is a different kettle of fish now. I took him to Rangers as a boy. The club is ingrained in him. There’s only one conclusion: He wants the job but will need to win games.”

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Ferguson, after European success over Mourinho, can strengthen his claim for the role with a positive result against rivals Celtic and Brendan Rodgers this weekend.