- Barry Ferguson insists Rangers lack “battle-ready” players after fourth straight defeat to Hibs.
- He urges summer recruitment focused on leaders, mentality and immediate impact signings.
- Ferguson demands stronger identity and consistency after another late-season collapse
Barry Ferguson has called for a shift in Rangers’ recruitment strategy this summer, insisting the club must prioritise immediate impact and leadership qualities after a fourth consecutive defeat to Hibs left their season further under scrutiny.
Speaking on the Five Stars Podcast, the former Rangers captain was blunt in his assessment of the current squad’s shortcomings.
The ex-interim boss stressing that technical ability alone is no longer enough to compete in key moments.
“We need to get players in that are going to lead for the front,” Ferguson said.
“The Tynecastle game, you finish the first half strongly. You go in 1-0 but you know it’s going to be a battle in the second half, and I just felt we never stood up to that battle.”
Barry Ferguson demands ready made Rangers targets
Ferguson believes the defining issue has been Rangers’ inability to sustain performance levels when matches become physically and emotionally demanding.
This has been clear in tight title-deciding moments.
“It’s going to be a big summer ahead and I’m sure Rohl has realised that he needs to get players in that are ready to go right now,” he added.
“No players that maybe in two or three years he can make into a top player or make a lot of money.”
The ex-Ibrox captain also warned against a recruitment strategy built on potential rather than readiness.
Ferguson argued that Rangers require players capable of handling pressure from day one in the Scottish Premiership.
“We need to get players in that are going to hit the ground running,” Ferguson continued.
“In this league up here, it’s all good when you’ve got good players that can handle the ball but there’s a lot more to it.”
Former skipper addresses Ibrox shortcomings
“There’s a lot more to it” has become a recurring theme in Rangers’ post-match analysis this season, with Ferguson suggesting the squad has repeatedly fallen short in the “trenches” of competitive football.
“We’ve suffered a bit when we’ve struggled in periods of the game,” he said.
“That’s where you want players to lead from the front.”
A lack of identity
The comments come as Rangers prepare for another summer of transition under Rohl, with expectations of significant squad turnover following a disappointing end to the campaign and a confirmed third-place finish.
Ferguson, however, believes the scale of change must go beyond personnel, pointing instead to mentality and identity as the core issues to resolve.
“You need an identity,” he said.
“I think that’s something that we’re craving for and hopefully that’s a big part of the recruitment come the summer.”
As Rangers look to reset yet again following a turbulent run-in, Ferguson’s was clear that the next Ibrox rebuild must be built on character, not projection, if the club are to avoid repeating the same late-season collapse patterns.
