Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson admits he’ll enjoy a proud moment when he takes charge of the team for the first time at Ibrox – but insists the focus is on how the team performs.
Ferguson took charge of his first game as interim boss when he oversaw the comeback 4-2 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Parkin midweek.
He was appointed after the club parted ways with Philippe Clement, with home defeats to Queen’s Park and St Mirren a major factor in the Belgian’s departure.
As a former captain of Rangers who has a proud place in the club’s hall of fame, Ferguson is assured of a hero’s welcome when he walks out of the tunnel to take his place in the dugout as manager and he acknowledged the special moment but knows the important thing about the match against Motherwell is securing a win.
“I’m looking forward to it, obviously,” he said. “I enjoyed Wednesday night, apart from the first 30 minutes, that is.
“But listen, it’s not about me. It’s about us going and putting on a performance, us being at home and taking the game to Motherwell to try and get three points. That’s the only thing I’m concerned about.
“It was great. I played with the team I grew up supporting. Obviously then taking that next step to be captain.
“Now, it’s standing on the sidelines and managing the team.
“It’s a proud moment but the focus isn’t on me. The focus is on me getting my team to start getting results on a regular basis.
“That’s the only thing that matters to me.”
“The last two games at Ibrox have not been good enough, The performances have been well below the standard that’s needed at Rangers. We need to set that straight tomorrow.”
The former midfielder believes Rangers should be making Ibrox an intimidating place again, after two shock defeats, and he expects his side to impose themselves on Motherwell and any other visiting side.
“The last two games at Ibrox have not been good enough,” Ferguson said. “The performances have been well below the standard that’s needed at Rangers. We need to set that straight tomorrow.”
Asked if he thought other teams now viewed Ibrox as a place they could get a positive result, he agreed.
“I believe so,” he said.
“I think when you’re the home team, you have the fans behind you. You come to Ibrox and we looked a bit timid at times, if I’m being honest.
“That has to change, we need to be the dominant force. We’re the home team, and it’s not just at home [we need to dominate], but away as well.
“We’ve tapped into that briefly and you’ll see a different team from what you saw in the last couple of games, that’s for sure.
“It’s the way it’s been for a number of years. We need to have a certain way of playing, and that’s taking the game to opponents.
“I’ve not seen that in the last number of weeks. Going forward that’s something that as a staff and squad we’ve talked about.”
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