It only took 90 minutes but Barry Ferguson has already endured his first gut-churning experience of the Rangers rollercoaster.
Two-nil down to Kilmarnock after 14 minutes in his first game as caretaker left the Ibrox legend sick. But his side got back on the rails to fightback and take the points with a 4-2 victory. It was a thrill alright. But while some Hotline callers loved the ride others aren’t convinced by what they saw.
Starting with the positives, Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “Thank you Barry Ferguson. I saw more passion in 90 minutes than I have all season. That’s what it means to a Rangers legend and the current squad can learn so much if they are prepared to listen. Not since the days of the late great Walter Smith have I seen a Rangers manager show just what it means to lead a Rangers team. Let’s get behind him and support his ambition to get the job on a full time basis.”
Andy Haggerty, Glasgow, added: “What a difference in the exact same group of players to Saturday’s woeful performance. That’s what a bit of pride and love of the club gets you. Well done to the interim team and Barry Ferguson in particular. You could see what it meant to him at full-time.”
But Charles Maxwell stirred the pot when he emailed; “Fair play. Barry pulled off a managerial masterstroke against Killie. The way he listened to Doddsy was sublime. But Killie showed a lot of naivety at 2-0.
“They got altitude sickness when pushing for a third when they could’ve and should’ve controlled the game. So questions still remain. Are two heads better than one, will too many cooks spoil the broth, or are the ingredients just not there? Welcome back to the kitchen Barry.”
And Benjamin Clarke emailed: “The Hotline Bears will be singing the praises of the saviours and Dessers will be worth £30million after coming from behind to beat their Ayrshire cousins.”
On a different note, Ronnie Maney emailed: “Let’s be honest, Barry knows that half the team don’t even know the words to Simply The Best. He’s got to get them all singing from the same hymn sheet.”
Ferguson and co are in position until the end of the season but where Rangers turn after that remains to be seen. Glen Mitchell emailed: “I hope Rangers bring back Steven Gerrard. His record is nothing to write home about, just serial failure other than the totally absurd title win, during the most ridiculous season ever imaginable. The football was nothing without fans.”
Away from Rangers and both sides of the Edinburgh divide won on Wednesday night to tee-up a mouth-watering derby in Leith this Sunday lunchtime. Hibs are now 14 games unbeaten while Hearts have lost just one of their last 11. And Neil Renton, Leith, said: “Make no mistake – the derby on Sunday is the biggest in years. Both Hibs and Hearts have hit a brilliant run of form. Whoever wins not only owns the city but throws down a marker to the rest of Scottish football that they’re the third best team in Scotland. Unless it’s the Jambos cause that’ll just be a fluke.”
Celtic may be strolling to the title but the Green Brigade have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons after their latest banner display. Dr Robert Pender emailed: “The Celtic board have got to do something about all these political banners being displayed. It at present looks like the Green Brigade run and control this club.”
James Forsyth, Bellshill, said: “A new low from the Goon Brigade to have a display to glorify an Irish terrorist. What has he to do with football? Time for the authorities and Celtic Football Club to stand up and be counted.”