GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 05: Hibs Interim Head Coach Barry Ferguson during a William Hill Premiership match between Rangers and Hibernian at Ibrox Stadium, on April 05, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Barry Ferguson has been laying it on thick to Daily Record readers about what a huge Rainjurz man he is.
Despite being overlooked twice the year for the managers job staunch Barry wishes that he was going to Hampden on Sunday with boots rather than brogues.
In case any Record readers had forgotten Ferguson twice signed for Rangers before their 2012 liquidation.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY THEN NO MONEY
Back then money was no object. You could sign a token contract, get it sorted with the SFA thanks to Gordon Smith and Campbell Ogilvie while millions were poured into offshore accounts. Disguised remuneration as the Supreme Court described it in July 2017. Liable for Income Tax, National Insurance, penalties and interest.
Life at the new club has been tough. More manager than trophies, much more. Three trophies in 13 years.
Four managers this year, five if you want to add Steven Smith to the head count.
Ferguson only has past glory days to fall back on. When a team assembled on dual contracts hidden from the authorities could battle it out with Celtic for trophies.
Seeing Martin O’Neill back in the Celtic dug out has brought it all back for Ferguson.
Not that he needs any encouragement to remind Record readers that he is a pure bear.
I’ll be at Hampden on Sunday afternoon and there’s a part of me wishing I was taking my boots there with me.
Because the sight of Martin O’Neill walking back into Celtic’s dugout is going to bring a lot of old memories rushing back to the days when I was out there playing against his side the first time around.
It’s mental, isn’t it? Here we all are 20 years later and he’s right back where it started. And isn’t that why we can’t get enough of Scottish football?
Almost as mental as 38,000 people shelling out money to buy the Daily Record today.
The English will tell you that the quality isn’t always great. They’ll look down their noses and say our game isn’t a patch on the Premier League.
They might also look at the 36 team tables for the Europa League and UEFA Conference.
But they can shove that borefest where the sun don’t shine.
From the man that twice walked away from Rangers for the bright lights of Blackburn and Birmingham. Obviously no job offers coming in.
Turning to O’Neill Ferguson added:
The one thing I’d warn Danny Rohl right away is not to underestimate the man standing in the other technical area. Not for a moment that I think he will.
I like listening to Martin speak – he’s always entertaining – and he is probably trying to paint a picture of a 73-year-old who is just glad to give his old club a helping hand in a time of need.
And if you believe that then you need your head looked at.
OK, he might be getting on a bit in years but he’s the same winner now as he was back then. He’ll be absolutely desperate to get one over on Rangers and not just for old time’s sakes.
He’s also a smart man and he’ll have worked out a plan for this semi final. Be in no doubt at all about that.
Ferguson has resumed his career as a club ambassador after his double snub.
Having pitched himself for the job then teamed up with Kevin Muscat for a role at Ibrox Neil McCann is in therapy at missing out again.
Just hope Barry stays out of Bothwell after the game if the result isn’t to his liking….
So he would warn Rohl not to underestimate Martin O`Neill, although he doesn’t think for a moment Rohl would do that. So why warn him then?
Editor: You have summed up why Ferguson and the Record are made for each other.
Notice how every manager we’re linked with they’ll do an article shooting it down
Yet they were doing articles about who Gerrard and Muscat were going to sign in January
That’s because even now they obey the traditional Glesgay sportsdesk editorial rules of “gimme Rainjurz magic, Sellick tragic” – even though that narrative hasn’t borne much connection to reality for a long time now.
“…They might also look at the 36 team tables for the Europa League and UEFA Conference.
But they can shove that borefest where the sun don’t shine…”
The last Glasgow Derby was – easily – one of the most boring, negative, grim games of
footy there has been for many a year!
We have 2 poor teams playing on Sunday: why should anyone expect a decent game?
Controversy?
Guaranteed, as it’s a cup semi – and at least it will add extra interest to the game…?
Mrs Ferguson’s husband…very much ably assisted with his words from a ‘ take your pick ‘ of the Rangers scoops employed by the rag . After reading some of the dross this week , my money’s on Inaction …..total piffle !
Happy Liquidation Day – Lest they forget
Brilliant, HC. I note the poppy-fest is already well underway at the Billy Boys Club on TV.
With all the talk of new managers etc., it’ll be interesting to watch what crap comes out of CP via their many SMSM messengers in the next 3 weeks.
The board members, probably all of them, are shitting themselves at the speed and effect of what Celtic supporters can do when they unite for the good of OUR club.
Power to the new CFC! We’ve needed this for decades.
But the board won’t ‘surrender’ easily. They’ll try every fire-fighting trick in the book to stay where they are but, this time, I think they’re finished and I certainly hope so.
The CFC is a new-born and will need time to get fully organised but they’ve made a helluva start. Meantime the board will fire out moonbeams in the hope of containing the fire until after the AGM and, if allowed, they’ll then appoint someone they think they can easily control. Step forward Shaun Maloney!
DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN, stay strong. The board is on the back foot and we’ve got to finish them to move forward as a club. OUR club.
The Glasgow Celtic FC. One club since 1888. SACK THE (PLC) BOARD
Editor: Well said. A lot of positive suggestions now coming out from the usual suspects, lots of feel good while the board prey that they can get away with Maloney and O’Neill.
After listening to that Barry, I think I’ll go and put a pound on Celtic to win on Sunday!
Wait a minute. You could have bought a Football Cub ffffor that a few years back!
The Lanarkshire Ned With The Swollen Head !