Rangers face the biggest match of their season on Thursday, as they take on Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie at Ibrox.
The Bears got the better of Fenerbahce in the Round of 16 to progress to the last eight, where they face a Bilbao side that sit fourth in La Liga.
Barry Ferguson’s side are still performing poorly in the Scottish Premiership and lost 2-0 to Hibernian at Ibrox on Saturday 5 April.
Thursday night’s exciting quarter-final tie with Bilbao would mark the perfect time for Ferguson to earn his first home win as Rangers’ interim boss.
Ally McCoist reacts to Jack Butland announcement
Ferguson made a bold call to drop the usual number one, Jack Butland, in favour of Liam Kelly for the visit of Bilbao amid the Englishman’s poor form.
Gers legend Ally McCoist told the interim boss live on TNT Sports ahead of kickoff [10 April]: “It’s a massive call.”
Kelly last appeared for Rangers in their 3-0 triumph over Aberdeen on 15 January.
Beating Bilbao could be enough to make Ferguson Rangers’ next permanent boss
The Ibrox giants are yet to appoint their next permanent manager after Philippe Clement was sacked back in February.
Ferguson damaged his managerial credentials when the Light Blues were beaten at home by Hibernian last time out, but he could put his chances of becoming the Gers’ next permanent manager back on track if he can guide them to a famous victory over Bilbao.
Thanks to a shocking domestic campaign, the Europa League is now the only trophy that Rangers can still win, but steering his side into the semi-finals could prove enough for Ferguson to secure a long-term future in Glasgow.
Bilbao boast seriously talented players at their disposal, such as Spain star Nico Williams, who was one of the best players in last summer’s Euros.
If the Light Blues can get the better of such star-studded opponents, Ferguson will have proven he is the right man for Rangers moving forward.
Can they do it without Butland? Time will tell.
