Barry Ferguson has urged Rangers supporters to avoid a knee-jerk reaction to Saturday's 2-2 draw at Dundee, insisting the big picture remains positive despite two dropped points at Dens Park.
The Ibrox legend acknowledged the result was disappointing, particularly after a first-half performance that fell below the required standard. However, he hit out at the overreactions that have followed the final whistle, saying they are part of life at Rangers but should not lead to panic.
Context Behind the Criticism
Ferguson pointed out that Steven Pressley is doing a very good job at Dundee and that Rangers will not be the only team to drop points there this season. He also understood why some fans become anxious at the first sign of a blip, given the club's history over the last 15 years, where setbacks have often turned into trends.
Celtic's 7-0 win over Hearts the following day opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table, which Ferguson acknowledged may have triggered fears of a repeat. Yet he stressed that the big picture is not as bleak as some suggest, noting Rangers have won seven and drawn one of their last eight games.
What Comes Next
Ferguson said what interests him most is the next 10 days, with Rangers facing St Johnstone and Hearts in the league before a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden on Halloween. He believes six more league points and a cup final place would ease supporters' concerns.
He also suggested the setback at Tayside could serve as a wake-up call, reminding players to stay on their toes. Ferguson defended Derek McInnes's team selection and substitutions, including the decision to start Badredine Bouanani, who scored a stunning equaliser and had another effort saved by a top-class stop.
Looking Ahead
Ferguson hopes McInnes will keep Bouanani in the team while restoring the Ryan Naderi and Kevin Kelsy partnership in attack. He felt Naderi looked isolated up front and that Minsu Kim should have got closer to him in the final third, a tweak made at half-time that saw Rangers take control.
With 29 league games remaining and a cup final place on offer, Ferguson is confident this result will prove to be nothing more than a minor bump in the road.
