'He's brought a bit of fight': Lee McCulloch backs Barry Ferguson to take on Rangers job permenantly

Lee McCulloch has backed Barry Ferguson to get the Rangers job on a permanent basis if he continues the way he has started.

The former skipper has recorded a win over Celtic and got past Fenerbahce to reach the Europa League quarter-finals in his first month in the dugout since replacing Philippe Clement until the end of the season.

And McCulloch, who is an ex-teammate of Ferguson, believed he has installed a “bit of fight” into the side and brought back a belief in the team again.

And as a result he can’t see any reason why he couldn’t continue in the role for next season and beyond.

Speaking at a Freedom Boat Club event in Loch Lomond on Tuesday, McCulloch said: “He’s turned the belief around, he’s brought back a connection from the pitch to the stands, he’s brought back a bit of fight into the squad.

“The results speak for themselves in Europe and the recent Old Firm game so I think he has put himself in a great position for whatever happens next season.

“It wouldn’t surprise me (if Ferguson got the job on a full time basis). I think he is in his element and with all the Rangers managers he has had in the past and has learned from.

“I think he looks the part, he sounds the part and the most important thing, which he has been getting, is results so I think he is in a great position to go and set himself up for next season.”

McCulloch also offered his opinion on Vaclav Cerney, who sprayed water over Celtic fans as he celebrated the winning goal by Hamza Igamane in the 3-2 victory at Parkhead.

The incident prompted a police investigation into the incident, but McCulloch insists only the player himself will know if it was intentional.

He said: “It’s a tough one, obviously you need to show a bit of respect, but it’s a bit of water, whether he has meant it or not, I don’t know.

“It’s just one of these things that you don’t actually know, it’s only Cerny who could tell you if he meant it or not.”

Lee McCulloch was speaking at a promotional event for Freedom Boat Club (FBC) – a unique alternative to boat ownership where members can enjoy unlimited boating at hundreds of global locations.