Ferguson’s frustration at Ibrox flops surfaces ahead of Celtic match

The Celtic Star

·2 maggio 2025

Ferguson’s frustration at Ibrox flops surfaces ahead of Celtic match

Interim boss Barry Ferguson has issued a stern warning to his struggling Ibrox squad, telling them they need to start following his instructions ahead of Sunday’s dead-rubber Glasgow Derby against runaway leaders and Champions Celtic…

Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The frustrated Ibrox interim boss was left exasperated in Paisley last weekend, blaming his players for ignoring tactical instructions during their 2-2 draw with St Mirren.

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“Well, there was a lot of frustration for a number of reasons”

As his side gears up for Sunday’s final Glasgow Derby encounter of the season, the former Rangers FC captain has made it clear he expects full attention to his guidance – or there will be consequences. Ferguson said: “Well, there was a lot of frustration for a number of reasons, because I wasn’t happy with the way the game went.”

“But we’ve had a full week, we’ve spent a bit of time going through certain scenarios that I wasn’t happy with. We’ve still got another day to go but they’re clear on what I wasn’t happy with. That needs to improve, and I expect a big improvement on Sunday.

Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“It better change, and it has to change”

“It better change, and it has to change. That’s something, again, we spoke about as a group, that’s something that I wasn’t happy with. We’ve been through a lot this week and I expect them to take the information on.”

Ferguson’s older brother Derek sparked debate this week after commenting on theRangers’ display against St Mirren, criticising the squad for what he called a “lack of respect” towards their manager by disregarding his tactical instructions.

Celtic celebrations. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“Listen, everybody’s got different opinions and it’s something that I don’t really read into,” Ferguson responded. Whether it’s my brother, whether it’s somebody else, everybody’s entitled to their opinions. I’ll keep my feelings in the house and I think that’s the best way to do it. The players understand the reasons why I wasn’t happy after the game.

“We better make sure we have a better performance against Celtic.”

“It’s not my place to agree or disagree with people’s opinions. I’ve got one thing in my mind – that we better make sure we have a better performance against Celtic.”

With Celtic having secured their fourth league title in a row last weekend, the season’s last derby holds little at stake beyond pride. No matter the outcome it will be Brendan Rodgers’ side who will be spraying the champagne at the end of the month on trophy day.

Brendan Rodgers. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

However, theRangers have come out on top in the last two Derby matches and the interim Ibrox boss is keen to rise to the challenge once more.

He said: “It means a lot to me. I’ve said that, it needs to mean a lot to everybody inside the building. It’s been a really disappointing season, but it’s not a dead-rubber. You are coming up against the fiercest rivals who again have dominated this season, and that hurts.

“We need to challenge, certainly in a better manner than what we have done this season.”

“So we need to go up against them and just let them, or give them a reminder that listen, we’re going to be here next season. We need to challenge, certainly in a better manner than what we have done this season.

“I couldn’t care less about the performance. I just want to get three points. It’s a bonus for me if you play well in the games. I tend to not look at what happened in the past. The win at Celtic Park was a number of weeks ago and I’ll expect the same level, if not better, on Sunday,” Ferguson said.

Celtic players celebrate winning the league. Dundee United 0 Celtic 5 at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“It’s clear that we’ve not won enough this season”

“I know a lot of people want to see free-flowing, attractive football and I totally get that, but it’s all about winning games of football. It’s clear that we’ve not won enough this season and it’s something that we need to get better at going forward. Not just this season, but next season and the following season after that.”

When questioned whether the players shared his passion for these derby battles, Ferguson said: “Well I’ve got the feeling this week because we’ve sat and we’ve stood out on the training ground and spoke about it.”

“So the proof will be in the pudding I guess come lunchtime on Sunday.”

So the reaction that I’ve had in training has been really good, but it matters when you cross that right line. That’s what matters. So the proof will be in the pudding I guess come lunchtime on Sunday.”

Essentially if Celtic want it as much as theRangers, who bizarrely only can get up for playing against us, then there will only be one winner. This game is Celtic’s to lose and our players know it. Match their desire and the 2000 in the away end will have the place rocking.

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Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Conor Spence

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