He’s been ruthless once, and it paid off handsomely. Now Barry Ferguson must be as bloody single-minded again.
The interim Rangers manager proved his mettle on Thursday night by dropping former England international Jack Butland following some high-profile errors and replacing him with the rarely seen Liam Kelly.
It was a bold move and certainly created a stir when the teams lines were revealed ahead of that Europa League quarter-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao.
Had it gone wrong, it would probably have ended Fergusonâs hopes of landing the Ibrox job full-time there and then. Maybe even his managerial career.
As Rangers went down to 10 men with the dismissal of the dismal Robin Propper after 12 minutes, perhaps the 47-year-old former Rangers captain feared it was all over.
Yet, the man he put his faith in was to reward him in spades, Kellyâs trailing leg the difference between triumph and despair for Ferguson on the night as his goalkeeper saved Alex Berenguerâs spot-kick to keep the tie level ahead of the second leg in Spain on Thursday.
Barry Ferguson should prioritise Europe ahead of a dead rubber Premiership tie
Defender Dujon Sterling was injured in last Thursday’s first leg against Bilbao
Only time will tell if it truly was a sliding-doors moment in the life of Ferguson. But his courage in making such a selection call at least warranted a little slice of luck.
Some would perhaps argue that dropping Butland didnât require bravery – that it was common sense given the form he has been in of late.
However, we have seen on numerous occasions instances where managers have stubbornly stuck with players they should have dropped, seemingly too scared to roll the dice. Take Steve Clarkeâs most recent Scotland team selection, for instance, if you wish a painful example of such muddled thinking.
Ferguson made his decision knowing full well that it could backfire – and what the consequences would be. It was a risk but he took it. Now he needs to take another.
Today, his side take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Itâs a game heâs played in many times as a player. He knows the bitter rivalry and he knows whatâs usually at stake.
Given Rangersâ domestic form, Ferguson is also acutely aware of the desperate need to end the horrific inconsistency that has blighted their season.
Added to that, of course, is that defeat will confirm Celtic as Premiership champions.
The thought of simply handing their Old Firm rivals the title would be an anathema to the Rangers supporters. And yet…
The truth of the matter is: this game means nothing.
It means nothing in the context of what comes after and how it could be affected by how Ferguson approaches the visit to Aberdeen.
The Rangers squad is already creaking. Dujon Sterling has already been ruled out and Ferguson has admitted that others in his squad are struggling.
He needs as many fit and able bodies as he can muster for the return leg against Bilbao. Thatâs what matters. Thatâs all that matters.
Rangers’ quarter-final tie with Bilbao is finely balanced after a 0-0 draw in the first leg
Ferguson should put out the youth team against Aberdeen if it gives him a better chance of making the semi-finals on Thursday night. He canât risk a key man picking up an injury in a game they could lose anyway.
Of course, it will take guts to make such a call. Ferguson will need to be ruthless once more in his selection but now because he must prioritise Europe.
He has already said the right things in the build-up. That the Aberdeen game is his priority and that he would expect any team he puts out to be capable of winning at Pittodrie.
And now he must forget all about that, wrap his big names in cotton wool and send out the kids and fringe players to do, well, whatever they can in the north-east.
It will take courage as the consequences could be watching Celtic celebrate the title and then, just a few days later, watching his own team crash out of the Europa League. As that is still very much a possibility regardless of how he prepares.
But thatâs the risk he must take.
The reward could be a European semi-final or better. It could be the job of his dreams. Or it could be being noticed and respected by other potential employers who might just be willing to take a risk of their own.
