It’s too soon for the stars and stripes to be flown high above Ibrox just yet. Any thoughts of adding Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA to the pre-match playlist can wait for now.
And yet, after months of negotiations and speculation, the American Dream finally started to crystallise for Rangers fans earlier this week.
On Tuesday afternoon, seniors figures from the US consortium and 49ers Enterprises were given a tour of Ibrox by Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart.
For supporters, it was the first visual confirmation that a deal is moving ever closer to completion. One step nearer to a bold new era under fresh ownership.
The Americans hope to have a deal wrapped up by June in order to minimise any disruption to the start of the next campaign.
But the plans for season 2025-26 are already well under way. New sporting director Kevin Thelwell was also in Glasgow this week and took the time to chat with Barry Ferguson.
Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson is targeting a third consecutive win over rivals Celtic
Excitement is growing amongst the Ibrox support over an impending takeover by US investors
New sporting director Kevin Thelwell (left) impressed Ferguson during a meeting this week
For the interim manager, there’s no time to waste if Rangers are to turn things around and hit the ground running.
Whether he is the new boss or not following a recruitment process which will be led by Thelwell, this is the start of a new era.
Yes, it has been a season of disappointment and failure at Rangers, but the chance to claim a third straight win over Celtic would salvage some pride and positivity heading into the summer.
‘We are all excited because it’s something that the club have been wanting, outside investment,’ said Ferguson when asked about the Americans being in town this week.
‘It looks to me like it’s going along smoothly and we’re just waiting to get the thumbs up that everything’s done and dusted.
‘It’s the start of a new era for the club, because it certainly needs it. I’m just like everybody else, looking forward to the day it gets signed off and hopefully it’s a brighter future for Rangers.
‘I just spoke briefly with them for a few minutes. We welcomed them to the training centre, but I had more important stuff to do. I’ve got to prepare for an Old Firm game.
‘We saw them round about the place, and that was it basically. Then I sat down with Kevin [Thelwell] and now I’m just looking forward to hopefully getting three points.’
Pressed on the nature of those conversations with Thelwell, Ferguson replied: ‘I had a long meeting with him. It was good, first time I’ve sat down with him.
‘I was impressed by him. Obviously, what was said will remain private, you know I’m going to say that. But it was great to bang heads together.
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‘He got my feelings, he totally understood them. Very impressive, and it’s something that I think will work really good for the club.
‘I came out of the meeting feeling good about it and I’m hopeful Kevin did as well. We understand that there’s going to be a lot of changes.
‘There has to be a lot of changes to make this club successful again. It’s built on winning trophies, and it’s clear over the last number of years that we’ve won nowhere near enough.’
Ferguson knows better than anyone that plans for the new campaign already have to be under way.
‘We are a couple of weeks away from the season finishing and, before you know it, you’re back in pre-season,’ he said. ‘You’ve got Champions League qualifiers and then the league starts. It’s clear that Rangers as a club need to start moving.’
There is something paradoxical about this Premiership season in that Celtic could well lose to Rangers three times despite having already waltzed to the title.
Ferguson insists his focus is firmly on the job in hand rather than his long-term future
Indeed, if Rangers can beat their rivals tomorrow, this would be the first time since 1996-97 that they have won three consecutive league matches against Celtic in a single season.
‘I feel old when you say that,’ said Ferguson. ‘Yeah, far too long. But, look, we know what we’re coming up against. Celtic have been strong and consistent.
‘That’s one thing about them. We have not been that throughout the season. The last couple of games against them, yeah, we’ve performed and got results.
‘But it’s not really got us anywhere. It needs to be, week by week, we need to make sure that we put the levels of performance in.
‘I’m expecting a big performance from us because we know that, coming here, they’ll not be happy with what happened in the last two games. So we need to be ready and prepared.’
Rangers had to settle for a draw against St Mirren last weekend after twice blowing the lead
Ferguson was highly critical of his team after last week’s 2-2 draw at St Mirren. Insisting that every player is now playing for his future, he admitted Rangers have lost their ‘fear factor’.
He also scolded his players for failing to listen to his instruction, something which he insists he won’t stand for again.
Asked about the response to the Paisley game and the type of performance he wants to see, he said: ‘I couldn’t care less about the performance. I just want to get three points.
‘It’s a bonus for me if you play well in the games. I know a lot of people want to see free-flowing, attractive football, and I totally get that.
‘But it’s all about winning games of football. It’s clear that we’ve not won enough this season and it’s something that we need to get better at going forward.
‘Not just this season, but next season and the following season after that.
‘Last week’s performance was one that annoyed me, made me angry. I was clear on that in the dressing room, I’ve been clear on that this week.
‘I’m expecting a better performance because everybody’s playing for their future. It’s going to hopefully start as something really positive and good for the club.’
