Rangers’ Europa League Hopes in Jeopardy Amid Controversial Stewart Decision
Rangers’ European ambitions could be at risk, with Patrick Stewart facing criticism over decisions that may hinder their chances. The club parted ways with Philippe Clement last week after a loss to St Mirren proved to be the breaking point.
Barry Ferguson has since stepped in as interim manager until the end of the season, but his tenure began with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Motherwell (1 March), highlighting the difficult road ahead.
Keown Questions Ferguson’s Appointment
Clement’s sacking seemed inevitable after a season filled with setbacks. Not only are Rangers 16 points behind Celtic in the league, but they also lost the League Cup to their rivals and were shockingly knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Queen’s Park. With domestic trophies out of reach, the Europa League remains the club’s only chance at redemption.
However, in a column for the Scottish Mail on Sunday (2 March, page 99), Gary Keown questioned whether Ferguson was the right choice to lead the team in Europe.
“He does have experienced figures like Neil McCann and Billy Dodds alongside him—though what Alan McGregor’s role on the coaching staff is remains unclear,” Keown wrote. “But it’s difficult to see why someone with Ferguson’s limited managerial experience is expected to navigate a last-16 tie in UEFA competition.”
Keown also pointed out that Stewart inherited a difficult situation and is likely still assessing the club’s current state amid the impending American takeover. However, he argued that the decision to remove Clement and replace him with a management team consisting largely of former players suggests a return to old habits rather than a well-thought-out strategy.
Rangers Must Deliver in Europe
Given their struggles across all domestic competitions, the Europa League represents Rangers’ only real opportunity to salvage the season. Keown’s concerns are understandable, as doubts linger over whether Ferguson has the tactical expertise required for success at this level.
While Clement’s dismissal was justified—his team lacked consistency and he never seemed fully aligned with the club’s ambitions—there are questions over whether Ferguson’s appointment was based more on sentiment than merit.
Ferguson’s deep understanding of the club and its expectations could help restore pride at Ibrox, but as Keown highlights, passion alone won’t guarantee European success. Whether Ferguson can prove his critics wrong remains to be seen.
