Former Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson admits his predictions for the team have been extraordinary and that he is struggling to protect them longer. A few weeks ago, Ferguson claimed that Rangers would lead the Scottish Premiership table by five points ahead of post-split games and would be on course for clinch the title.
Ferguson said football can surprise you when you start taking things for granted. Now he finds himself trying to make sense of what has happened over the past two weeks.
After 33 games, Rangers are 3 points behind Celtic after playing the same number of games. Their goal difference is also smaller, so there is a four-point difference. But after a 3-3 draw with the Hoops at Ibrox earlier this month, the Gers fell behind by one point with a game in hand.
Ferguson admits that it is very difficult to protect the effects and recent performances of his former club. He wrote in his Daily Record column: “A few weeks ago I not only made a mistake in this column: I ignored all my instincts and put all caution on The Wind when I predicted that Rangers would go into the games after a five-point draw. Of course, in the most sensible part of the table and on the way to the title.
“In my own defense, I added that football has a habit of biting your ass if you start taking something for granted. So now here I am, tooth marks all over my ass, trying to figure out what it is. It happened in the last fortnight.
“And the fact is that it’s very difficult for me to try to protect the indefensible when it comes to the recent effects and performances of my former club.
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“Let’s just say I was almost speechless on Wednesday when I saw them drop two more valuable numbers in Dundee and that left me so depressed that I struggled to get a good night’s sleep.
“But, after a lot of movement, yesterday morning I woke up and was shaken because, as long as it is imaginable that Rangers will win this league, enthusiasts like me have a duty to help the team in difficult times like this.
“It doesn’t make sense to reduce your shoulders and let your back lip drag on the floor. Not when there’s a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts just around the corner and the chance to get the whole season back on track. And that’s the message that would be hitting those players if I get into the education bracket in the next 48 hours.
“But, like the enthusiasts who went on holiday to Dens Park the other night and expressed their anger at the final whistle, I must admit that even my own patience is starting to wear thin a bit. I think Philippe Clement will feel quite the same way.
“Because after running so hard for so long to get back into the name fight, the Rangers are now in danger of letting the season slip through their fingers. And that’s just not enough.
“It also raises a lot of unwanted questions about the mindset of some of those guys and the strength of their character and desire. Every man and his dog has had something to say about it in the last 48 hours. Are you willing to go through that? Extra effort and fight and scratch for the badge on your chest?Or do they not have the courage to do so?
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“Personally, I don’t doubt it, but yes, the way they’ve played over the last few weeks has left me baffled and wondering if any of those guys realise how privileged they are to be able to get this result. Or if it doesn’t bother them.
“The news is that we’ll find out soon, as surely none of them will have anywhere to hide for the remaining weeks of the campaign. We are all about to see before our very eyes how much (or how little) it means to them, the first forty-five minutes against Celtic can be considered a little abnormal.
“As I’ve learned myself, things can happen on Old Firm Day. The fact that they dug deep and got their way back to a 3-3 draw in the derby gave them a sense of confidence again. But to continue with that, what kind of mediocre performances did they produce in Ross County and Dundee at such a monumental level of the season?
“Honestly, I can’t understand it. The only positive thing I can say in his favor is that his fate is still in his hands. They still have a chance to prove they deserve to be champions. But instead of making it easy for themselves, they’ll have to do it the hardest way imaginable.
“Not only will they have to beat Celtic at Parkhead on May 11, but they’ll also have to score more goals than them and maybe hope someone else does a trick or two to them along the way. And it’s a terrible position for them to finish when they were in a dominant position going into the home stretch.
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