Barry Ferguson, a name once etched in Rangers folklore, may now find himself at odds with the very fanbase that once revered him. In a scathing analysis of current manager Russell Martin, Ferguson’s comments have triggered a backlash among Rangers supporters, with many now questioning his loyalty and motives.
Ferguson, who captained Rangers with distinction and briefly served as a coach at the club, did not hold back in his recent public assessment of Martin’s tactical approach and leadership style. Speaking on a football podcast earlier this week, Ferguson described Martin’s recent decisions as “naïve,” “overthought,” and “not suited to the demands of a club like Rangers.” While criticism of managers is nothing new in Scottish football, the tone and intensity of Ferguson’s remarks have struck a particularly raw nerve.
The tension between the two dates back to Martin’s appointment, which effectively marked the end of Ferguson’s own ambitions of returning to a significant role at Ibrox. Sources close to Ferguson have long suggested he felt overlooked and undervalued during the club’s managerial reshuffle, and some fans see his comments as stemming from personal resentment rather than objective analysis.
“Russell Martin was brought in with a clear vision,” Ferguson said. “But Rangers isn’t a club for experiments. You don’t get time to ‘figure it out’ here. You need instant results and a backbone. I don’t see that in him right now.”
The fallout was immediate. Rangers fans took to social media in droves to defend Martin, who has started to win over sections of the support with his modern approach and focus on youth development. Ferguson, once hailed as a club legend, was branded “bitter,” “out of touch,” and “no longer speaking for the fans.” Some even went as far as to call for him to be banned from future club events.
It marks a significant shift in perception for Ferguson, whose status among the Rangers faithful was once untouchable. Having won multiple league titles and captained the side through both triumph and turmoil, he was regarded as a symbol of Rangers’ fighting spirit. But as is often the case in football, sentiment can be fleeting.
Whether Martin ultimately proves to be the right man for Rangers remains to be seen. But what is certain is that Barry Ferguson’s latest comments have fractured his relationship with a fanbase that once idolised him—and repairing that bond may now be harder than any opponent he faced on the pitch.
