Barry Ferguson’s return to Rangers in a coaching capacity has been met with plenty of intrigue, and early indications suggest he has made a significant impact in terms of mentality and intensity. However, as Ian McCall pointed out in his assessment of Rangers’ performance against Dundee, there is still a long way to go before the team can be considered a polished and dominant force. While Rangers may have secured a late victory at Dens Park, McCall was highly critical of certain aspects of their game, pointing out that for long stretches, they were “really, really poor.”
One of the most notable differences since Ferguson’s return has been a shift in mentality. The former Ibrox captain has seemingly instilled a higher level of intensity in training, which is beginning to show on the pitch. According to McCall, the squad now appears to understand the expectations that come with wearing a Rangers shirt. He noted that the players now recognize that dropping points at Ibrox is simply unacceptable and that even a draw feels like a loss, while an actual defeat is considered a complete disaster. This kind of mentality shift is crucial for any team with title ambitions, particularly in a league where fine margins can make all the difference.
Despite this positive shift in attitude, Rangers’ actual performance against Dundee left much to be desired. McCall acknowledged that the team showed character in grinding out a win, but he was less than impressed with the overall display. He described large portions of the game as being “really, really poor” and noted that while Rangers did create a number of chances, their finishing and overall tactical shape were far from convincing. This has been a recurring issue for Rangers this season, where they have often struggled to impose themselves against teams they should be beating comfortably.
One of the key talking points from the match was the performance of young midfielder Bailey Rice. The 18-year-old was given an opportunity in the second half after replacing Connor Barron, but McCall felt that it took him far too long—around 25 minutes—to adjust to the pace of the game. While Rice is still young and developing, McCall’s comments suggest that he needs to show more urgency and readiness when called upon at this level. Ferguson has made it clear that Rice will be given opportunities if he proves himself in training, but performances like this may raise questions about whether he is truly ready to contribute in high-pressure situations.
Another player who found himself under scrutiny was Cyriel Dessers. Despite scoring the winning goal, the Nigerian striker was once again the subject of criticism due to his inefficiency in front of goal. McCall pointed out that Dessers had nine chances in the game but only managed to convert one of them. This level of wastefulness has been a recurring issue for Dessers since his arrival at Ibrox, and it remains a major concern for Rangers. In a league where title races can be decided by small margins, having a striker who is not clinical enough can prove to be a costly weakness. If Rangers are serious about challenging for silverware, they will need Dessers—or whoever leads the line—to be far more ruthless in front of goal.
Beyond individual performances, McCall also raised concerns about Rangers’ overall tactical setup. He felt that the shape of the team was wrong for large portions of the game, which contributed to their struggles. Tactical discipline has been a recurring issue for Rangers this season, and while Ferguson’s presence may help in terms of motivation and intensity, fixing deeper structural issues within the team will require more than just passion and determination.
While the victory over Dundee keeps Rangers in the hunt, the manner in which they won raises some serious questions. If they continue to scrape through games like this, they will eventually come unstuck against stronger opposition. Inconsistencies in performance, tactical shape, and finishing ability could prove to be major stumbling blocks in their quest for success this season. The positive impact of Ferguson’s return is undeniable, but there is still a long way to go before Rangers can consider themselves a dominant force.
The biggest question now is whether Ferguson’s influence can lead to sustained improvement or if this is simply a short-term boost driven by his presence. While mentality and intensity are important, they cannot mask deeper tactical and technical flaws. The Scottish Premiership is a demanding league, and if Rangers do not find a way to consistently perform at a high level, they may struggle to keep pace with their rivals. With Celtic continuing to set the benchmark, Rangers cannot afford to rely solely on spirit and determination—they need to show real, tangible improvements in their overall performances.
Moving forward, Ferguson and the Rangers coaching staff will need to address several key issues. First and foremost, they must find a way to make the team more clinical in front of goal. Dessers’ struggles in particular highlight the need for a more reliable finisher, whether that means improving his own efficiency or looking for alternative options within the squad. Additionally, they must work on their tactical setup to ensure that they are not left exposed against teams that are willing to sit deep and frustrate them.
The game against Dundee may have ended in victory, but it also served as a reminder that Rangers are far from the finished article. If they want to challenge for the title and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with, they will need to be far more convincing in their performances. The impact of Barry Ferguson is clear, but the hard work is far from over.