Ferguson delivers Warburton verdict, runs rule over Rangers January signings
By Harvey Byrne
Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has jumped to the defence of under pressure manager Mark Warburton, claiming the club did not back him in January.
The Ibrox giants added just three senior players in the winter window with Jak Alnwick signing permanently for £250,000, while Emerson Hyndman and Jon Toral joined on loan from Bournemouth and Arsenal respectively.
The closure of the window has seemingly also seen the start of a poor run of form for the Gers, bringing a heavy 4-1 defeat against Hearts alongside a 1-1 draw at home against Ross County.
The results have seen Rangers fall down to third place in the table and supporters have gone as far as to call for Warburton’s sacking.
However, past great and current Clyde boss Ferguson believes that Warburton would have wanted to strengthen more than he was allowed to in January.
“I do feel sorry for Mark Warburton,” told Feguson to the BBC, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“I’ve seen a couple of his interviews and I don’t think he’s been backed as much as he’d have wanted.
“I look at the transfer window, they brought three players in – a goalkeeper and two midfielders. But two are loans.
“I’m looking at it and thinking, ‘He’s not been backed as he would’ve wanted.’
“He’d have wanted to strengthen even more.”
Rangers’ summer window was a huge difference in comparison to the one just gone after Warburton was able to bring in 11 players on permanent deals.
However, a number of those transfers have not gone to plan with Joey Barton leaving the club after just six months, while Jordan Rossiter and Niko Kranjcar have hardly featured due to long-term injuries.
Rangers will face Greenock Morton in the Scottish Cup next on Sunday before facing 10th placed Dundee in the league and negative results in either could see Warburton lose his job.
In other Rangers transfer news, Warburton has jetted in to London to seal transfer.
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