'Bewildered' - Pundit reacts to what he saw recently in Rangers game

Derek Ferguson was “bewildered” by just how badly Nice performed against Rangers in their recent clash but praised the Gers for getting the job done.

Philippe Clement’s side thrashed the Ligue 1 outfit 4-1 in the Europa League last Thursday (28 November) before scraping a 1-0 win at St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

That has very much been the theme of the season, with Rangers following up largely positive displays in continental football with underwhelming performances domestically.

Former midfielder and now BBC pundit Ferguson has exclusively told Ibrox News he believes that is mainly down to a relative lack of pressure in European matches.

“There’s a couple of factors. There’s not as much pressure in Europe for Rangers to deliver a result,” he said. “When players aren’t under that pressure they perform better.

“Teams in Europe are also to have a go at Rangers and attack them, which suits them given there’s more space and time on the ball than they’d get in Scotland.

“Against Nice, it was the first game I’ve watched in a long time that I’ve actually enjoyed and had a smile on my face. It was a good result and a good performance.

“But some of the defending from Nice – I was bewildered by some of the individual performances, the structure of the side.

“They were all over the shop. But you’ve still got to beat what’s in front of you and Rangers did exactly that.”

Rangers a different side entirely in Europa League

While Nice may have been comically bad last week, Rangers can only beat what is in front of them and that is exactly what they did.

That is now three wins, a draw and a defeat from five matches in the Europa League, meaning progression to the knockouts is very much on.

However, there is a feeling the performances in Europe are papering over the cracks. The win over St Johnstone was welcome, but it was hardly inspiring stuff.

Ferguson has a point in terms of the pressure being an issue, with every Gers player seemingly looking a shell of themselves against ‘lesser’ opposition.

Clement will know a big improvement is needed, which means three points and nothing less from the visit of Kilmarnock on Wednesday (4 December).

In other Rangers news, Ferguson has named a player who is not good enough for the club.

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