‘Hurt’ – Barry Ferguson reacts to what he watched Rangers do in Directors’ Box vs Celtic

Barry Ferguson was left “hurt and disappointed” as Rangers were condemned to a 3-0 defeat by Celtic on Sunday (1 September).

Despite a positive start to the match, and escaping going a goal down thanks to an offside check, Daizen Maeda eventually hit the back of the net after 17 minutes.

Kyogo Furuhashi doubled the Hoops’ lead just shy of half-time before Callum McGregor rounded off the victory in front of the Celtic Park crowd while the Gers fans could only watch on from home.

Writing via the Daily Record on Tuesday (3 September), Ferguson said: “I’m not going to lie. This one hurts. Maybe it was because I was there to watch it with my own eyes, sitting in the directors’ box at Parkhead.

“Perhaps it was the joy on the faces of the Celtic fans when they were doing their wee huddle dance and laughing in my face when their team was 3-0 up. It was interesting, let’s just leave it at that.

“But mainly, the hurt and disappointment I’ve been left nursing was caused by a Rangers performance which was simply not good enough on derby day in Glasgow’s east end. To be honest, I’ve still got an empty feeling inside more than 24 hours later and that’s not like me.”

Rangers fans disappointed by Old Firm result v Celtic

The passionate fans at Ibrox have every right to be disappointed by the result, voicing their concerns about Philippe Clement and the state of the behind-the-scenes happenings with the board.

There is a clear gulf between the two rivals, which was especially relevant during the summer transfer window as Brenden Rodgers was able to splash millions on new signings.

At the same time, Clement and Nils Koppen were tied to a shoestring budget, having to search for alternative options, including free agents.

With only four matches of the new Scottish Premiership campaign played so far, there is plenty of time for Clement to turn things around, but with a new-found pressure at the helm, he may not have as much time as he thinks.

The Belgian must do something he has been unable to do during his tenure so far – beat Celtic. The league title is there for the Gers to take, but they must defeat their Old Firm rivals to claim it.

Rangers star is accused by Keith Jackson of “throwing in the towel” against Celtic

Following Sunday’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Celtic, Rangers captain James Tavernier was accused by Keith Jackson of “throwing in the towel” (1 September).

With all the pressure Philippe Clement is already under at Ibrox, the defeat to Celtic, their Old Firm rivals, will not help him at all.

Tavernier, who was rumoured to be leaving Ibrox during the summer transfer window, has been praised for his play and has managed to hold onto his position this year.

“The truth is – as unpalatable as it may be for them to swallow – is that these fans are now on the point of throwing in the towel, in the same way, that captain Tavernier did yesterday afternoon while his team was being taken apart by the neighbours,” Jackson wrote in a piece published by the Daily Record on Monday, September 2.

After Rangers vs. Celtic, James Tavernier bears the majority of the blame.

Tavernier shouldn’t mind being singled out by the media and supporters because he is the club captain.

After switching from Wigan to the Gers in the summer of 2015, the 32-year-old has committed nearly ten years of his life to the team, but it appears that his time there is running out.

Many supporters thought the right-back would be leaving Ibrox this summer after clubs approached him, but he is still a member of Clement’s starting lineup.

Fans are frustrated by Dujon Sterling’s involvement because they feel that he should be playing midfield to gain experience rather than starting at full-back.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement

Although Tavernier has received harsh criticism for yet another appalling performance, the manager ought to bear the majority of the guilt as he has ready his team to play at Celtic Park against Brenden Rodgers’ squad.

The fierce supporters of the Gers have every right to be worried about their chances of winning the Scottish Premiership title already, as the team has only triumphed once against their Old Firm rivals in the previous 12 meetings.