Rangers must fix next problem after avoiding Hampden hammer or doubts will creep in - Barry Ferguson

Ferguson praises Rangers for handling pressure in their Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen, saying the team must continue building trust after years of disappointment.

Barry Ferguson, the legendary Rangers captain, was at Hampden Park for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final between Rangers and Aberdeen. Writing after Rangers' 1-0 victory, Ferguson reflects on the immense pressure facing the current squad as they attempt to deliver silverware for the first time under manager Derek McInnes.

Ferguson emphasizes that while Rangers dominated the match throughout, the psychological weight on the players was significant. Unlike the trophy-laden teams Ferguson played in, the current squad lacks a track record of success and must rebuild fan trust after 15 years of disappointment. Had Aberdeen stolen a win, McInnes would have faced severe criticism and the team's credibility would have been severely damaged.

Rangers progressed to the final on December 13 against Hibernian after Ryan Naderi's late goal. Ferguson credits McInnes and his players for standing firm under pressure and finding solutions to their problems week by week. He views the semi-final victory as potentially season-defining, suggesting that the manager is methodically rebuilding the club's winning mentality one challenge at a time.