Rangers' Struggles Continue: Ferguson's Frustration Mounts Amid Old Firm Stalemate

Rangers' ongoing struggles under Barry Ferguson's management continue as they fail to secure a home win in seven games, adding to Ferguson's mounting frustration.

After Sunday's 1-1 draw with Celtic, Rangers have now gone seven home games without a win, with five of these under the management of Barry Ferguson. This ongoing streak is undoubtedly a source of frustration for Ferguson, who has consistently demonstrated his passion and commitment to the club in every interview.

However, despite his dedication, the results have not been satisfactory. This has been a persistent issue since he took over from Philippe Clement. The situation could change if a takeover occurs and new owners decide to invest heavily in the club, making the managerial position more attractive to top-tier candidates.

Currently, the team's performance in European and Old Firm games has been commendable, but the same recurring issues throughout the season have cast a shadow over the current management team's effectiveness.

Highlights:

  • Rangers and Celtic share spoils: The latest Old Firm derby ended in a 1-1 draw, extending Rangers' winless streak at home.
  • Rangers condemn 'unacceptable' banner and throwing of bottle: The club has addressed recent fan behavior issues.
  • Idah's Celtic equaliser leaves Rangers without home win in seven: Celtic's late equalizer further compounded Rangers' struggles.

Celtic, on the other hand, continues to dominate the league, sitting seventeen points clear at the top with 103 goals scored. This dominance is a testament to their consistent performance over the past decade, despite the competition not being as tight as expected.

Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged occasional dips in performance but remains focused on the upcoming cup final and the possibility of securing another treble. This should serve as motivation for the players to stay switched on.

Tactical Insights:

In the last derby of the season, Rangers had the upper hand in the first half, while Celtic dominated after the break. The final 15 minutes felt like a dead rubber, with both teams seemingly content to let the game conclude without further incident.

Rangers employed a midfield diamond with two strikers positioned slightly wider, effectively neutralizing Celtic's ball manipulation and chance creation. The full-backs were particularly aggressive, making early contact with Celtic's wide players and forcing them into less advantageous areas.

At halftime, Rodgers made minor adjustments to Celtic's buildup play, introducing more movement behind the defense rather than relying solely on receiving the ball to feet. Reo Hatate's deeper positioning created marking difficulties for Rangers, showcasing Celtic's tactical flexibility.

Former Rangers striker Steven Naismith shared these insights with Andrew Petrie for BBC Sport Scotland, highlighting the tactical nuances of the match.

What to Read Next

Nico Raskin's Future at Rangers: Uncertainty and Its Impact on Performance
Football

Nico Raskin's Future at Rangers: Uncertainty and Its Impact on Performance

Explore how uncertainty over Nico Raskin's future at Rangers is affecting his performance and the club's strategy moving forward.

Lawrence Shankland Joins Hearts' Elite: A New Era of Football Legends
Football

Lawrence Shankland Joins Hearts' Elite: A New Era of Football Legends

Lawrence Shankland secures his place among Hearts' greatest legends with a new three-year contract, as praised by former coach Steven Naismith.

Transfer Talks Heat Up: Rangers Eye Betis' Mendy and Arsenal's Hein
Football

Transfer Talks Heat Up: Rangers Eye Betis' Mendy and Arsenal's Hein

Rangers are in talks with Real Betis for Nobel Mendy and Arsenal's Karl Hein, while Celtic targets Brondby's Clement Bischoff and Cagliari's Adam Obert.

John McGinn's Contract Talks and Latest Scottish Football Transfer News
Football

John McGinn's Contract Talks and Latest Scottish Football Transfer News

Latest updates on John McGinn's contract talks with Aston Villa and other key transfer news in Scottish football.

Nasser Djiga Joins Rangers: A Promising Move for the Young Defender
Football

Nasser Djiga Joins Rangers: A Promising Move for the Young Defender

Nasser Djiga, on loan from Wolves, expresses his excitement about joining Rangers, aiming to make a significant impact in the Scottish Premiership.

Transfer Buzz: Celtic and Rangers Eye Key Signings in Football Market
Football

Transfer Buzz: Celtic and Rangers Eye Key Signings in Football Market

Explore the latest football transfer rumors as Celtic and Rangers target key players like Federico Chiesa and Joe Gelhardt to strengthen their squads.

Pierre Landry Kabore Joins Hearts: A Versatile Striker's Journey to Scottish Premiership
Football

Pierre Landry Kabore Joins Hearts: A Versatile Striker's Journey to Scottish Premiership

Hearts FC secures the signing of versatile striker Pierre Landry Kabore, enhancing their forward line with his impressive goal-scoring record.

Russell Martin's Debut as Rangers Manager: Key Insights and Future Prospects
Football

Russell Martin's Debut as Rangers Manager: Key Insights and Future Prospects

Russell Martin's first game as Rangers manager provided key insights into his strategies and the team's potential for the upcoming season.

Kieran Tierney Returns to Celtic: A Homecoming with No Fitness Doubts
Football

Kieran Tierney Returns to Celtic: A Homecoming with No Fitness Doubts

Kieran Tierney rejoins Celtic on a five-year deal, confident in his fitness and ready to contribute to the team's success.

Celtic and Rangers: The Road to Champions League Qualification 2025-26
Football

Celtic and Rangers: The Road to Champions League Qualification 2025-26

Discover how Celtic and Rangers aim to secure their spots in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League through intense qualifiers and strategic play.

Scottish League Cup Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Unprecedented Coverage and Excitement
Football

Scottish League Cup Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Unprecedented Coverage and Excitement

The Scottish League Cup marks its 80th anniversary with enhanced coverage and thrilling matchups, as 40 teams compete for glory in this prestigious knockout competition.

Hearts' Ambition for Silverware: McInnes Confident in Trophy Chase
Football

Hearts' Ambition for Silverware: McInnes Confident in Trophy Chase

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes believes his team is strong enough to win trophies this season, setting high ambitions for the Scottish League Cup and Premiership.

Newcastle's Pre-Season Struggles Continue with 4-0 Defeat to Celtic
Football

Newcastle's Pre-Season Struggles Continue with 4-0 Defeat to Celtic

Newcastle faced a tough 4-0 loss against Celtic in their pre-season friendly, missing key players like Alexander Isak and Joelinton.

Rangers' Grit and Glory: Overcoming Panathinaikos in Champions League Qualifier
Football

Rangers' Grit and Glory: Overcoming Panathinaikos in Champions League Qualifier

Rangers showcased resilience and character to advance in the Champions League, overcoming Panathinaikos in a thrilling qualifier.

Celtic's Adam Idah Firm Amid Udinese Transfer Rumors: A Season of Promise Ahead
Football

Celtic's Adam Idah Firm Amid Udinese Transfer Rumors: A Season of Promise Ahead

Celtic's Adam Idah remains focused on the upcoming season despite Udinese's interest, as the club and player aim for a successful campaign in the Scottish Premiership.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.