Barry Ferguson reckons it’s clear the Rangers board are sticking with Philippe Clement amid silence from the club.
However, he concedes that a fan boycott could change the mindset of the Ibrox powerbrokers. In the wake of the shock Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Queen’s Park, pressure on Clement has reached an all-time high with the Light Blues supporters desperately waiting on news about the club’s next move.
However, Rangers haven’t posted on their social media accounts in four days bar a singular retweet for the Rangers Charity Foundation. While Clement is set to speak before this weekend’s visit clash with Hearts at his Friday press conference, Ferguson has reached a clear conclusion on what CEO Patrick Stewart’s mindset is.
The former Rangers captain told Go Radio: “I think he is going to be in charge on Sunday at Tynecastle. If anything was going to happen it would have happened straight after the game or on Monday morning.
“There is no getting away from it, it was a disastrous result. It was way off the levels we would have expected. In terms of trophies, that should have been the one that was earmarked to make sure you get your hands on it. Celtic have won the League Cup and it looks to me like the league is done.
“You never give up but I can’t see Celtic losing four or fives games. Sunday was a hammer blow and the fans have every right to be devastated. It’s just not good enough.”
Asked if a fan boycott during the next home game against St Mirren would spell the end for Clement, Ferguson said: “Yes, but in terms of St Mirren I think they will turn up. They will let their voices be heard. They are obviously frustrated but I think they will turn up.”
In terms of a successor, Steven Gerrard has been touted as a potential successor. The Liverpool icon has endured a tough management career since leaving Ibrox after lifting the Premiership title having been shown the door by Aston Villa before his Saudi Pro League gamble with Al-Ettifaq ended earlier this season.
But former teammate Danny Murphy reckons that Blackburns Rovers could be a more suitable destination for Gerrard as he eyes a return to the dugout. After John Eustace left the Ewood Park hot seat for Derby County, Murphy told Spin Genie: “I could really see Steven Gerrard at Blackburn and I think he would jump at the opportunity if he was offered the job.
“It’s a great location in terms of where he is from and they have some good young players and are really pushing in the right direction. He might consider what he has learned in Saudi and who is making the decisions at the club.
“I’m of the mindset that all managers are improving when they are in roles and he would’ve definitely improved at both Aston Villa and in Saudi. I think being in Saudi was just to keep him ticking over after Aston Villa and you could argue that was the role that came too early in his managerial career, even though he started well there. He would have learned a lot of lessons from that and with the Blackburn job, I think he’d jump for the opportunity.”