Ferguson’s Celtic Sniping Makes His Rangers Excuses Pathetic

Barry Ferguson wants everyone to calm down. Rangers have dropped points at Dundee, Celtic have moved four clear, and suddenly perspective is the most important commodity in Scottish football.

How convenient.

In his latest Daily Record column, Ferguson rejects “knee jerk, overreactions” following the 2–2 draw. He urges supporters to “cut the manager and his players a bit of slack”.

Apparently, scrutiny becomes excessive when the uncomfortable questions land at Ibrox.

Ferguson’s Celtic verdict had no shortage of conviction

After Rangers won at Celtic Park last month, Ferguson declared they had been “stronger than their fiercest rivals in all areas”.

That was an emphatic assessment. Celtic’s shortcomings were there to be examined, and Ferguson certainly did not struggle to deliver his verdict.

He was entitled to it. Celtic deserved criticism.

But the willingness to judge a performance should survive a change of shirt colour. Rangers cannot receive searching analysis only when the conclusions are flattering.

Otherwise, what we are reading is an exercise in defending the badge.

Every Rangers failing gets a comforting explanation

Look at the cushioning around his latest verdict.

Dundee are decent opponents. Rangers have enjoyed a strong run. New players are adjusting to expectations. The dropped points might even provide a useful wake-up call.

Perhaps they will. However, that is a prediction, not an answer to supporters questioning why a winning position disappeared.

Ferguson acknowledges that previous Rangers setbacks have developed into damaging patterns. He understands exactly why supporters recognise the warning signs.

Then he tells them to take a breath.

Their concerns deserve a better response than reassurance about matches Rangers have yet to win.

Celtic supporters can recognise the indulgence

For accuracy, Ferguson does criticise Rangers’ first half and discusses McInnes’ decisions. He also warned against gloating before September’s return derby.

That does not erase the contrast in tone.

Celtic’s defeat prompted a sweeping verdict about Rangers’ superiority. Rangers’ draw produces an appeal for patience, understanding and faith in what happens next.

I find that indulgence pathetic when it arrives packaged as a lecture on how everyone else should react.

Nobody expects Ferguson to abandon his allegiance. But allegiance does not give him ownership of the sensible position.

He can believe Rangers will recover. Supporters can question whether they will.

And Celtic fans can ask why his appetite for blunt judgement becomes so much gentler when his own club needs defending.

If he wants consistent perspective, he should start by providing it.