Barry Ferguson's Ibrox Return Marred by Familiar Struggles: Rangers' Home Woes Continue

Barry Ferguson's return to Ibrox as Rangers' interim head coach was supposed to be a triumphant homecoming. However, familiar frailties resurfaced in a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell, extending Rangers' winless streak at home.

A Promising Start Turned Sour

Ferguson had started his tenure with a 4-2 comeback win at Kilmarnock, raising hopes of a turnaround. However, the home fixture against Motherwell quickly turned into a nightmare. James Tavernier marked his 500th appearance for the club, but the occasion was overshadowed by a lackluster performance.

Defensive Lapses and Mental Fragility

Rangers' defensive vulnerabilities were exposed early on. Goalkeeper Jack Butland's poor reaction led to Luke Armstrong's opening goal for Motherwell. The second goal came from a well-executed play by Motherwell, further highlighting Rangers' defensive frailties.

Ferguson acknowledged the mental toll on his players, stating, "To play at Rangers, they need to be mentally strong. The fans demand that of you." Unfortunately, the team's confidence seemed shattered, and they failed to mount a significant comeback.

Domestic Form in Crisis

With this defeat, Rangers are now 16 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, having lost or drawn nearly 38% of their league fixtures. Ferguson emphasized the importance of domestic success, saying, "Your bread and butter is domestic trophies." However, their form at home, once a source of solace, has now become a significant concern.

European Hopes Remain

Despite their domestic struggles, Rangers will look to the Europa League for redemption. They face a challenging last-16 first-leg match against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. The question remains whether the European version of Rangers can deliver where their domestic form has faltered.

For now, Ferguson faces the daunting task of addressing the issues plaguing his squad. The honeymoon period is over, and the pressure is mounting as Rangers' season hangs in the balance.