Rangers head coach Barry Ferguson says he noticed ‘coronary heart and need’ on the pitch at Rugby Park as they staged a dramatic comeback to win 4-2.
The previous Ibrox captain, who gained 15 trophies as a participant, ended a whirlwind 48 hours after changing Philippe Clement by celebrating because the travelling followers chanted his identify.
Ferguson is now demanding his gamers proceed to point out the identical struggle as they did after going behind to strikes from Joe Wright and Brad Lyons, for the remainder of the season.
“I am not going to get over-excited. It was good, however there’s numerous issues we have to enhance on and the blokes comprehend it as properly,” the 47-year-old advised Sky Sports activities.
“They have been below that scrutiny, however they have the guts and the need.
“I would not have taken the job if I did not suppose I might get one thing out of them. They confirmed a unique aspect to them tonight.
“I am not going to get carried away, it is just one recreation. They now must take that into Saturday as a result of they’re at residence and if it is like after 10 minutes the group begin to get on you a wee contact.
“They should be taught to take care of these conditions. Spending the final 24 hours with them, I believe they realise that state of affairs now.”
After beginning with the identical beginning XI as value Clement his place with a 2-0 defeat to St Mirren, Ferguson hooked Clinton Nsiala after a struggling half-an-hour at Kilmarnock.
“At instances throughout a recreation when issues aren’t going your method, you need to make robust selections,” Ferguson added.
“Clinton’s younger, he’ll get better from it, however I simply felt at that stage we needed to make the change and clearly it labored for us.
“We began to manage the sport, we began to in all probability calm down a wee bit.
“I believed we had been a bit tense, however their confidence has been fairly low so you need to watch out with that.
“I advised them they’re enjoying at a superb membership, there are expectations and calls for on you and you have to deal with these, and I believed they dealt with it, the final 10-Quarter-hour of the primary half and definitely the second 45, they had been wonderful.”
What the pundits mentioned
The Sky Sports activities’ pundits mentioned Ferguson’s debut within the Rangers dugout:
Former Rangers captain Steven Davis:
“Completely sensible, I believe the primary half an hour he’d [Ferguson] be actually disillusioned with however definitely after that there was an awesome response from the crew.
“They’re going to be completely delighted to get the win. It is no simple feat coming from two objectives behind right here at Kilmarnock, so he’ll go residence a cheerful man.”
Former Rangers ahead Kris Boyd:
“I believe after that first half an hour, you are considering, ‘the place is that this going to go?’ after which hastily, it seems it is the identical issues that Rangers have confronted all season.
“You have to give credit score to the gamers that Barry Ferguson clearly made the substitution, introduced on Yilmaz, moved a number of gamers round and then you definately’ve seen Rangers click on and get an excellent aim simply earlier than half-time.
“The second half, they completely dominated it and I believe you will be happy with the efficiency after half-hour however the identical questions are nonetheless going to be requested, Rangers are very, very weak at set performs.”
Former Scotland striker James McFadden:
“He is been introduced in to attempt to reconnect the crew with the supporters and elevate the entire temper. The way in which the sport panned out really in all probability could not have been higher to return from two objectives down.
“As a lot as he would not have needed to have to return from two objectives down, these followers have definitely loved it.
“We spoke at size about how little time Barry Ferguson’s teaching employees needed to work with the gamers after which Barry spoke about how he needed his crew to play, and the last word intention from him is to win video games.”
Rangers’ upcoming fixtures:
- March 1: Motherwell (H) – Scottish Premiership
- March 6: Fenerbahce (A) – Europa League last-16
- March 13: Fenerbahce (H) – Europa League last-16
- March 16: Celtic (A) – Scottish Premiership, stay on Sky Sports activities
- March 29: Dundee (A) – Scottish Premiership, stay on Sky Sports activities