Barry Ferguson has recently voiced his opinion on the composition of the current Rangers squad, encouraging manager Philippe Clement to bolster the team with more Scottish talent. The former skipper believes that Rangers, despite their recent investments in foreign players, have been overlooking the potential within the Scottish football market.
“Rangers are going back down the continental route with Clement in the dugout but I have to admit I’d like to see him reintroduce a strong Scottish flavour back into the team,” expressed Ferguson.
Rangers has traditionally maintained a robust Scottish presence within their squad. However, in recent times, the number of Scottish players in the Gers’ ranks has dwindled, with only John Souttar and Ryan Jack being regulars. Barry Ferguson believes this lack of a “Tartan core” within the team is a noticeable departure from the club’s historical identity.
“The sides I played for under Dick, Eck, and Walter Smith had plenty of foreign players in them, but we had a strong tartan core running through the line-up which helped get across what the club and the game in this country is all about,” Ferguson remarked, emphasizing the cultural significance of having Scottish players in the squad.
Ferguson also pointed out that the departure of influential figures like Allan McGregor and Scott Arfield has left the team somewhat bereft of experienced Scottish players. With only Souttar and Jack remaining as regulars, he stressed the need to rejuvenate the Scottish core within the squad.
“For me, there’s been missed opportunities to sign talented young Scots,” he lamented. He cited several examples of Scottish players who made substantial contributions to Rangers in the past, despite coming from rival domestic teams. Players such as Billy Dodds, Neil McCann, Kenny Miller, Kris Boyd, and others have all made their mark at Ibrox. Barry Ferguson believes that there is a new generation of talented Scottish players, including names like Josh Doig, Max Johnston, Lawrence Shankland, and his own nephew Lewis Ferguson, who could contribute positively to the current Rangers team.
“The team has lost a bit of its identity this season,” Ferguson opined, referring to the current season. He believes that reintroducing Scottish talent into the squad could help in re-establishing the distinctive identity that has long been associated with Rangers.