Big Eck knows Ferguson better than anyone – and reckons he’s still the winner he always was as a player
No other manager is more aware of Barry Ferguson’s winning mentality than Alex McLeish.
After all, he’s the gaffer Rangers’ former skipper played most games under. And as well as selling him from Ibrox, McLeish also bought him TWICE for Gers and Birmingham City.
So Big Eck knows Ferguson – and what makes him tick – better than most. But if McLeish had any doubts about whether his old captain had lost his edge or insatiable desire to win before taking over as interim Rangers boss, a CHARITY game quickly put that notion to bed.
He was asked to be in the dugout for a legends game in Govan with Ferguson in his side. And when McLeish dared to substitute him at half-time of the kickabout – he was quickly reminded of the midfielder’s mindset.
Eck is delighted to see Ferguson in the Ibrox hotseat and has been impressed by his start to life as Rangers manager.
He’s adamant that his biggest strength – a refusal to be beaten – is already shining through in his stint at caretaker boss. But McLeish isn’t surprised after their reunion for that legends clash.
He told Record Sport: “In terms of the players I worked with, when it comes to that winning mentality, Barry is up there with the best of them.
“The best example is, when we do the legends games for charity at Ibrox and I’m manager. I took him off at half-time in one of them – and he was right down my throat.
“I said: ‘Barry, you can’t run now.’ But he was still right at me, asking why he’s coming off. That’s his mentality and to have that as a manager is fantastic.
“He was at Rangers for so long so he knows what it takes to succeed there. He knows what players have to give at that club to get the rewards. I always wanted Barry in my team. Why? Because of that winning mentality.
“He just has it in abundance. He cares deeply about winning games of football. That’s why I brought him to Birmingham after having him in his two spells at Rangers.
“The players down at Birmingham loved him, culminating in us beating Arsenal at Wembley in the Carling Cup Final.
“Barry played a big part in that. When I signed him I knew he’d bring something that we needed in the dressing-room.
“I had guys like Stephen Carr, who was similar to Barry in terms of their motivation. But Barry always had that and I can still see it now.”
When McLeish was appointed Gers gaffer in 2001 he inherited Ferguson as his captain. He was an integral player for him in his first two seasons, which yielded a cup double then domestic Treble.
His skipper was sold to Blackburn in 2003 but McLeish brought him back to Ibrox two years later. And when he was Scotland boss, Ferguson was a key man for him at international level too.
McLeish knows how he works and has already spotted his mentality rubbing off on Rangers’ players who managed to beat Celtic 3-2 in last week’s Old Firm derby at Parkhead. He said: “It’s clear that Barry is relaying to the Rangers dressing-room what’s required to play for that team.
“People will say this is a different era in football management and we’ve moved on from needing someone in charge who knows what the club’s about. But I do believe there are certain people who fit certain clubs and are made to manage them.
“Only certain people can handle it at the Old Firm and when Ferguson got the job I actually had an air of confidence about it.
“I knew it was a chance for him to coach players at a higher level than previous assignments he’s had.
“All of his experience as a player was at a high level and I think you can see that’s rubbing off on the players now. Look at what he has done already with Nico Raskin.
“He was unbelievable against Celtic last weekend, as were the whole team. He’s done a really good job so far.
“Rangers hadn’t won at Celtic Park in quite a few years and it never looked like they would any time soon. But they did it last week. And then the European exploits against Fenerbahce were incredible.”
Ferguson’s only previous managerial experience was in Scotland’s lower leagues. But McLeish says even the best coaches in the world would struggle to operate at that level.
He believes his former skipper looks the part in the role as Rangers boss because he has left under-performing players in no doubt about the standards he expects from them. Eck said: “He has handled himself exceptionally well so far.
“He looks like a Rangers manager and has spoken really well. He has come across as an intelligent football guy but that’s what he is.
“Barry knows the game inside out. People will cite his previous management career. They’ll say he didn’t do this or that at Alloa or at Clyde. But with all due respect, Pep Guardiola would probably struggle to get success at those levels.
“So let’s get things in perspective. Barry has told these players exactly what it means to play for Rangers. I understand it as I’ve been there. You might sign a Brazilian player and when they arrive they just don’t get it.
“Players come and sometimes want to play at a slower pace. But you have to tell them: ‘No, in this country, you must play fast.’ That’s happening with some of his players now.
“Barry has woken them up. He’s making them feel what it’s really like to play at this club. He’s teaching them about Rangers’ values and standards.”
