Barry Ferguson carrying big Rangers decisions on his shoulders (2025)

Ferguson wasn't giving much away but hinted that at least one big call has already been made ahead of Europa League clash

Barry Ferguson has refused to be drawn on huge calls over key men Jack Butland and Cyriel Dessers.

But the Rangers gaffer admits he's made big decisions ahead of facing Athletic Bilbao which don’t scare him and will fall squarely onto his shoulders.

Ferguson vowed to make changes to his side for the Spanish showdown in the wake of 2-0 loss to Hibs last weekend.

Two are already enforced with John Souttar and Mohamed Diomande suspended, but debate over Butland and Dessers has raged.

The keeper made another big mistake against Hibs to concede the opening goal, while Dessers misfired again and drew a blank.

Ferguson says he won’t shirk the big selection decisions, but refused to discuss individual cases ahead of the quarter-final crunch.

Pressed on Butland, he said: “I’m not going to say whether I’ve had a conversation with Jack or any other player. You’ll just need to find out.

“I’m not going to tell you this is who I’m going to play and this is the formation I’m going to play. I’d be crazy to do that.

“In terms of Cyriel, I would be more concerned if he didn't get into the positions. That’s what I’d be concerned about.

“But, in terms of changes, I’m not going to tell you what’s going to be happening. I’m having to think about the full team.

“As I said after the [Hibs] game, it was a long couple of days for me. But I was more than prepared to make sure I get this right. I need to sort this.

"I’m the guy sitting in the hotseat just now and I’m the guy that’s tasked with making sure that we start to get results on a consistent basis. That’s been the Achilles heel all season.

"There’s been issues. And, clearly, when I thought that I was getting there, obviously we suffered that result and we gave that sort of performance.

“So there’s been a lot of things going through my head. I’ve went and made a decision, which will be on my shoulders.

“We’ll, hopefully, see a real positive performance and result from what way I’m going to go about it.

“In terms of players making mistakes and players maybe underperforming, that’s part and parcel of football.

“It’s tough at times. Look I’ve been through many stages myself and there are a few players who may not be playing at the level that they would want and that I would expect.

“You just need to wait and see what the changes are, but I’ve told everybody now, there’s places up for grabs.

“When you go into my team and you play, you need to earn your right to play in the team. I probably will have to make some difficult decisions going forward.

“I’ve had to make some difficult decisions since I’ve come into the job, but it’s one thing I’m not afraid to do to try and better the team.

“I’ve got a job to pick the 11 that I think will win the game. That’s what I’ve done.

“Whether I’m considering other people to play, of course I am. I told you on Saturday that there will be some changes.”

Giving players a chance to redeem themselves is also on the table as he continued: “Yeah, there is that part as well, that when you give such a poor performance, that you’ll go and give them another chance.

“There’s also thoughts that have been through my head that: Do I need to change it, whether that’s personnel, whether that’s system.”