Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack React to Rangers Star John Souttar’s Message
John Souttar took to social media after representing Rangers on the international stage during Scotland’s 1-0 win over Greece. Napoli star Scott McTominay scored the match’s only goal from the penalty spot following a controversial decision from referee Tobias Stieler, aiding the Scots’ Nations League charge on Thursday 20 March.
Jack Butland’s understudy, Liam Kelly, was only on the bench as Steve Clarke’s side took all three points, with Souttar proving vital once again after a strong set of displays back in Glasgow.
Barry Ferguson’s reign at Rangers has started reasonably well, qualifying for the Europa League quarter-finals, and the centre-back’s return from injury has certainly helped the new interim manager. The 28-year-old only recently helped Rangers oversee an incredible 3-2 win over their Old Firm rivals at Celtic Park, and now, he is showing the world his capabilities against a strong Greek frontline.
Taking to Instagram on 21 March, Souttar shared images of himself before kick-off, captioned simply with a blue heart, with international teammates Billy Gilmour commenting with two brick emojis. Joined by Ibrox stars Nico Raskin, Butland, Ianis Hagi and James Tavernier, former players Ryan Jack and Kemar Roofe liked the post following the 1-0 win over Greece.
Philippe Clement’s tenure at Rangers ended on a rather sour note, and while Ferguson has brought a lot of positivity to Ibrox, a simple change of manager has not vaporized all frustrations. The former midfielder is certainly in the conversation to take over the manager role full-time, though he will likely face plenty of competition once his interim spell comes to an end this summer.
Ally McCoist told Football Insider that Rafa Benitez would be interested in the Rangers job at the end of the season, but the former Newcastle and Liverpool figure has expressed a want for a Premier League return. Steven Gerrard, Derek McInnes and Russell Martin are all possible names being linked with Ibrox, but with silverware still a possibility for the Light Blues, there is no need for distractions right now.
Having beaten Fenerbahce on penalties in the last round of the Europa League, Ferguson’s side have set up an incredible tie with Athletic Bilbao, which should make for an interesting match-up over two legs.
Rangers next manager: ‘I Was Laughed Out of the Park Over Barry Ferguson, Now Look’
Rangers could be forced to appoint Barry Ferguson as their permanent manager after his excellent interim spell at Ibrox so far. Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson insisted that Ferguson has put himself in pole position to take over at Rangers as his influence is difficult to ignore.
This comes after the interim boss has secured victories against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the Europa League and Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic at Parkhead in the last month. Robinson went on to compare the situation to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign at Man United when he was appointed following a successful interim spell.
Ferguson’s immediate impact on the players and fans at Rangers has been widely praised after recent results, and sections of the fanbase are already calling for him to stay. The 47-year-old has brought a sense of pride and passion back to Ibrox since his appointment and established himself as a firm candidate for the full-time role.
As the managerial search continues at Ibrox, former Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Rangers want to appoint a big-name manager. 49ers Enterprises are edging towards their Rangers takeover and are expected to play a big role in the final decision about Clement’s successor.
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Barry Ferguson guided Rangers past Fenerbahce in the Europa League last 16 and managed a 3-2 victory against Celtic last weekend. Mourinho has been linked with the club, as he implied he would be open to managing either Rangers or Celtic. Despite Ferguson’s impressive tenure, the management selection process is ongoing, with names like Steven Gerrard and Rafael Benitez also in the frame.
Rangers supporters had a week that will go down in folklore under Barry Ferguson earlier this month. The way they battled past a stubborn Jose Mourinho-inspired Fenerbahce at Ibrox to keep their season alive in Europe was momentous. However, they now face scrutiny after investigations into the behavior of players and supporters alike. Mohamed Diomande has been criticized for allegedly mimicking a gun in his goal celebration, and now Vaclav Cerny risks a lengthy ban after squirting home supporters with a water bottle during a match. Matthew Lindsay, chief football writer for The National, noted that Cerny’s actions were “way out of line” and suggested Rangers should expect an SFA ban for the loanee winger, which would be difficult to appeal.
Cerny, who joined Rangers on loan from Wolfsburg, has made an impact in Glasgow, accumulating 24 goal contributions in 44 games this season, including 17 goals. His match-worn shirt is currently auctioning for over £24,000, reflecting his significance to the fans.
As Rangers navigate this turbulent period, they will be looking to maintain their competitive edge on the pitch while addressing the challenges off it. Ferguson’s influence has reignited a sense of pride among supporters, but the club now needs to ensure that player conduct aligns with the standards expected at Ibrox going forward.
