Where Rangers Europa League semi-final spot would rank for Barry Ferguson (2025)

The interim Ibrox boss knows a thing or two about a big night on the continent

He lifted 15 trophies at Rangers and captained them in a UEFA Cup Final.

When Barry Ferguson hung up his boots a decade ago, he probably thought that would be as good as it got.

But depending on what happens in Bilbao on Thursday, he might just be able to rekindle those feelings again.

Because if Ferguson leaves the Estadio San Mames after leading Gers to a Europa League semi-final, he says it would be comparable to ANYTHING he achieved as a player.

That’s how much this quarter-final second-leg in Spain means to the former skipper. Ferguson had no inkling at the start of this season that he might somehow find himself in the Ibrox dug-out as gaffer.

But victory in Europe over Fenerbahce in the last round of this competition, as well as an Old Firm win over Celtic, has made it real.

And if he takes this team to the last four by knocking out Ernesto Valverde’s La Liga outfit?

It will be an extraordinary story for Ferguson. And something he insists will be on a par with the success he previously enjoyed at Rangers.

On the eve of a mouth-watering clash with Bilbao, he said: “Where would it rank? It’s a good question but obviously it would be right up there for me.

“Six weeks ago, I couldn’t have imagined being in this position, on the sidelines as manager of Glasgow Rangers. So it would rank right up there with what I’ve done in football as a player, there’s no doubt in my mind about that.

“But it’s not about me. It’s about my group of players showing their qualities at the highest level. This game is high level for us and I’m confident they’ll show it.

“My opinion on Athletic hasn’t changed - I think they’re favourites for the competition. But it’s a quarter-final and we have a brilliant opportunity and we’re looking forward to it.

“Is it different to playing? Look, you always want to play. But those days are well over for me.

“And the next best thing is being a manager. I didn’t think this opportunity would come but I’m loving it.

“It’s different to what I’m used to but I enjoy it and I’m looking forward to this. I’ve told the players, they have to embrace it - and I’m going to do the same.”

Ferguson might be a rookie boss at the highest level but that didn’t stop him ending Jose Mourinho’s hopes in the Europa League when Fenerbahce were seen off courtesy of a penalty shoot-out. And for his lack of managerial experience, the 47-year-old makes up for it with a wealth of it from his playing days.

Big games in Europe for Rangers aren’t alien to him. Especially when he recalls that glorious run to a Manchester final 17 years ago against Zenit St Petersburg.

Along the way, Walter Smith’s side had to beat the likes of Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina. Ferguson was at the heart of it and he’s adamant that his own team will need to show similar levels of desire and resilience if they want to make their own history.

He said: “Yeah, we need the same work ethic as the team I played in. We were very workmanlike and that’s what I want to see from my team - as well as being good footballers.

“When we have the ball in a stadium like this you need to be able to keep it. But we also need to defend. Athletic are a very attack-minded team but that’s something we’ve worked on.

“Just like in 2008, we need to have discipline. The way we’re going to play on Thursday night - it only takes one member of the team to switch off.

“If that happens, they’re going to hurt us. So it’s important that we’re switched on for every single second of the game.

“That’s something my staff and I are big on. The players understand that.

“You have roles and responsibilities without the ball. So we need to set up really strong.”

Ferguson is boosted by the return to his defence of John Souttar who missed the goalless first-leg at Ibrox a week ago.

Mohamed Diomande is also back, while injury doubts Leon Balogun, Ridvan Yilmaz, Vaclav Cerny and Bailey Rice have all declared themselves fit to play. The manager has a big decision to make up front but hinted that Cyriel Dessers is likely to start ahead of Hamza Igamane.

Ferguson will give his players words of wisdom minutes before they take to the pitch in Bilbao - but knows they might have to go to extra-time and penalties again to get the job done. He said: “We need to keep 11 men on the pitch. That didn’t happen last week or against Aberdeen.

“If we do that, we have a good opportunity. We know Athletic’s strengths but also their weaknesses, that’s something we’ve worked on.

“Their players will be desperate to reach the final at their own stadium - but we’re in front of them and we want to get there.

“Before the game I don’t say too much to them. But I obviously have the final say and have a couple of minutes with the players before they step on to the pitch.

“They’re getting used to what I’m like now. I want to win and I want them to be like that too.

“Could it go all the way? There’s a high possibility but my players showed they can do that against Fenerbahce.

“We have a big 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties ahead of us but we’re fully prepared for that and hopefully we can progress to the semi-final.”