Rangers 'interview' former Birmingham City star for vacant manager's job

Former Birmingham City midfielder Barry Ferguson has reportedly been interviewed ahead of becoming Rangers’ new head coach until the end of the season.

Philippe Clement was shown the Ibrox exit door by Rangers at the weekend following a disappointing home defeat to St Mirren and a shock exit from the Scottish Cup against Queen’s Park two weeks earlier. The Gers are now 13 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic with the chance of a title win now all but out of the window.

Steven Gerrard, recently let go by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, emerged as the early bookies’ favourite to become Clement’s successor. Such a move would’ve seen the Liverpool legend return to Ibrox four years after departing for Aston Villa, but Gerrard has since tumbled down the order.

Instead, Ferguson is expected to take over – at least until the end of the current campaign. The Daily Record reports Ferguson has been “handed the chance” to take temporary charge as Rangers seek to conduct their search for a permanent new head coach in a more thorough fashion.

Ferguson, a legendary figure at Ibrox Stadium having played a whopping 431 games for the club across two spells, is in advanced talks to be handed the reins. The 47-year-old, who appeared 84 times in Birmingham colours between 2009 and 2011, has been out of management since leaving Alloa Athletic in 2022.

In June 2014, Ferguson made his first steps as a head coach by taking over at League Two side Clyde. The Rangers legend’s first season with the Bully Wee was so nearly a success as the club narrowly missed out on promotion to League One with a play-off final defeat to Queen’s Park. It then went downhill as Ferguson was sacked following a relegation scrap.

A revival followed at Kelty Hearts, however, as Ferguson progressively improved the Jambos and eventually led them to the SPFL for the first time in their history. Such an achievement gained the attention of League One team Alloa but that spell didn’t go to plan as Ferguson resigned in February 2022. Returning to Rangers could give him a chance to give management a final shot.