Lee McCulloch believes that Barry Ferguson has transformed a meek Rangers side into a team capable of making a European impact.
Ferguson took over in February following the departure of Philippe Clement after the ignominious Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park which was followed up by defeat to St Mirren.
Ferguson has drawn an immediate response from Rangers, taking the Ibrox side into the Europa League quarter-finals where they will play Athletic Bilbao. He has orchestrated a 3-2 win over Celtic at Celtic Park, Rangers’ first win in the East End for five years.
And Ferguson has identified Ibrox as being key to Rangers’ progression in the competition.
‘The next game is a difficult one but I think being at home with the belief we’ve got to back ourselves,” said McCulloch. “They’ve got some top players. But, you’ve to fancy our chances at Ibrox. The belief is high at the moment.
“If we can get any sort of positive result over there then I think we’re always in with a chance.”
Next up Rangers head to Dens Park as they face a Dundee side fighting for their top flight lives.
And McCulloch believes there has been a steeliness to Rangers under Ferguson’s watch.
“I think he has managed to change it around,” said McCulloch. “When you look at the performance at Celtic Park…it came off the back of such a good performance in the Europa League against Fenerbahce days before.
‘They’ve certainly picked up results and form and they’ve potentially taking confidence from their European performances.”
