The Glasgow Derby is never just “another game,” but for Danny Rohl’s Rangers side, Sunday’s trip to Parkhead has taken on a desperate level of importance. After a dismal start to the post-split fixtures—including back-to-back losses against Motherwell and Hearts—club legend Barry Ferguson is demanding that the current squad finds its backbone.
Ferguson, who famously guided the Light Blues to a 3-2 victory over their rivals during his interim charge last season, isn’t interested in excuses.
Handling the Parkhead Pressure
With Celtic fans expected to create a hostile environment as they look to tighten their grip on the Premiership, Ferguson warns that a passive start will be fatal. Speaking on Go Radio, the former captain made it clear that the Rangers players must be prepared for an early onslaught.
”Rangers need to show and stand up to what’s going to come at them. Because I believe Celtic are going to go for it,” Ferguson said. “I was always in the mindset and would always say to the players, ‘You need to lay down a marker early doors, you need to stamp your authority on the game’.”
The “Rohl” of the Dice
The pressure isn’t just on the players. Rumors have begun to swirl regarding a potential “parting of the ways” between the club and manager Danny Rohl if the season continues to trend downward.
The German coach has struggled to maintain momentum after the split, and Ferguson believes the lack of winning form heading into this derby has robbed the fixture of some of its competitive edge—from a neutral perspective. However, for the Rangers faithful, the “edge” must be sharper than ever.
- The Form Guide: Rangers have struggled lately, losing their first two post-split matches.
- The Historical Context: Ferguson’s 3-2 win last year remains the blueprint for how he expects the team to compete.
- The VAR Factor: Ferguson noted that while he wants aggression, players must be smarter than in his era: “You could get away with some things back then, you wouldn’t get away with it now!”
Stamp Your Authority
For Ferguson, the message is one of personal pride and professional standards. He expects to see a team that is willing to fight for the jersey, regardless of the recent slump.
”It would have been better if Rangers had won a couple of games… but there has still got to be an edge from Rangers,” he added. “I expect and I better see a reaction.”
As the midday kickoff on Sunday approaches, the question remains: will Rohl’s men rise to the challenge laid down by a club icon, or will the “flawed narrative” of their season continue to unravel in the East End of Glasgow?
