Barry Ferguson: I would have more respect if I was foreign

The 47-year-old took interim charge of Rangers following Philippe Clement's dismissal at the end of February. 

Although he guided his side into the quarter-finals of the Europa League and helped secure a memorable 3-2 victory over Celtic at Parkhead, Ferguson has maintained just a 30 per cent win ratio overall. 

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Regardless, he thinks he would be thought of in greater regard had he come from abroad: "I think it's fine because I'm probably Scottish, and so is my staff," he said. 

"If it was somebody from a different country, I think they would have gotten more respect. I've been up here for many years, I know how it operates in the West of Scotland. But I knew when I took the job that I could make a difference. 

"Has it been the way that I've wanted it to go? It's not been perfect, I get that, I understand that. But I think I've done okay. I can do better. But if you give me the tools to go and do that, I know I'd be a success."

It remains to be seen who will take the permanent Ibrox hotseat this summer. Davide Ancelotti has emerged as a potential candidate over the past 24 hours. 

"I don't know anything about him, if I'm being honest," said Ferguson. 

"I know he's assistant to his dad and his dad is one of the best managers. There's always going to be speculation, there's been speculation since I've come in.

"I've no issue with that, that's just the way it operates up here in the west of Scotland. All I can do is just focus on me doing the job as best as I can, and we'll see where it takes us."