Rangers may have set an unwanted record by going seven home games without a win — and they know this campaign will end without silverware — yet interim boss Barry Ferguson found positives to take from Sunday’s Old Firm draw at Ibrox.
Celtic came from behind to deny Ferguson's men a third straight derby win as Adam Idah’s second-half strike earned a 1-1 draw and frustrated the home side in the latest chapter of a season that’s fizzled out for Rangers.
Nicolas Raskin thought he had opened the scoring early on, but his close-range header was chalked off for offside following a VAR check. Cyriel Dessers did give Rangers the lead shortly before the break with a composed finish — his 25th goal of the season — but the advantage was short-lived as Republic of Ireland international Idah pounced after the restart to level.
The draw ensures champions Celtic maintain their 17-point lead over their city rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
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For Ferguson, though, the post-match focus was less about the numbers and more about the standards.
"You shouldn't need to ask people to run hard and show a good attitude," he said when asked if application is now the bare minimum expected of this squad. "That should be inside you.
"I can accept players not playing well and having indifferent games. But what I can't accept — or will never accept — is somebody not giving 100%.
"But one thing about my players today is it was there for everybody to see. They gave everything. And now they need to continue that in the last three games."
It’s now seven home matches without a win for Rangers — an unwelcome Ibrox run without precedent.
But Ferguson, who has been clear that these final games are effectively an audition for many in his squad, remains focused on what he can control: effort, attitude, and professionalism.
There may be no trophies left to salvage, however, for those hoping to be part of what comes next under the proposed new ownership, the message from the stand-in gaffer is unmistakable — giving anything less than everything won’t cut it.
