You wait three months for a home win and then two come in the space of a couple of days. It is, of course, too little far too late for Rangers. This victory over Dundee United was a positive way to end a season of many negatives at least.
Andrew Cavenagh watched on from the stands as he and 49ers Enterprises edge closer to completing their 51 per cent takeover. This was a reminder, not that it was needed, of where Rangers are and the scale of the job ahead.
Samuel Cleall-Harding stunned Ibrox as he nodded United into the lead midway through the first half. Within minutes, Cyriel Dessers produced a fine headed effort of his own and converted a Jefte cross.
Dessers doubled his tally and gave Rangers the lead with a cool penalty with 17 minutes left. And the points were wrapped up when Nicolas Raskin rounded off a quick counter-attack with a powerful finish.
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Barry bows out at Ibrox
And now just 90 minutes remain. The final whistle at Easter Road on Saturday will mark the end of the season and the end of many Rangers careers. For a dispirited support, that moment cannot come soon enough. Indeed, many have been counting down to it for some time.
Ferguson got the win that he so desperately wanted on Sunday as Aberdeen were beaten and three points were finally collected at Ibrox. He bowed with a deserved victory here. His final match in charge at Ibrox will hold its own place in his heart and his mind. A chorus of 'Oh Barry, Barry' in the final seconds was fitting.
Ferguson returned to Rangers out of a sense of duty. As he said himself, he would not have done it for any other club. He has given this job his best shot. He has not done enough to keep it, but he should still be thanked for what he has done and the manner in which he has conducted himself.
Those nights against Fenerbahce were the highlights of the season and a rare with at Parkhead was a moment to savour. The tie with Athletic Club will hold a sense of regret for all concerned.
Ferguson will return to role as a club ambassador as the new Ibrox regime prepare to name their man to lead Rangers forward. Whoever that successful candidate is, he will have the backing of the man in whose footsteps he is following.
Rangers comfortable in victory
The quality of the cross and the quality of the finish could not be doubted. It could be questioned why both had not been seen more often this term, right enough.
Jefte provided a pinpoint assist from the left as he picked out a man rather than just putting the ball into an area. Dessers had a header to match as he diverted the ball with pace and precision into the top corner of the net.
It was the 27th goal of a campaign that will again split opinion. Few players in this squad spark a debate like Dessers but the striker can once again be pleased with his individual contribution.
His effort ensured Rangers did not go in behind at the interval. Ferguson’s side could have been in a better position but a Mohamed Diomande effort whistled just wide of the target.
The midfielder worked his way into a promising position after the break but couldn’t test David Richards from inside the area. Dessers skewed a low strike across the goal, fired another over the bar and then saw penalty appeals waved away after he grappled with Declan Gallagher.
It somehow took a VAR check for referee Calum Scott to award a spot-kick when Diomande was fouled by Vicko Sevelj. It was a baffling call from the whistler. Dessers was given the responsibility ahead of captain James Tavernier and sent Richards the wrong way from 12 yards.
The game was over within seconds. Vaclav Cerny slipped in Raskin and the Belgian blasted home from the right channel. That was that.
United can’t cause Ibrox upset
Jack Butland saved well to deny Sam Dalby when it looked like the striker would give the visitors the lead. Within seconds, United were ahead.
Ryan Strain swung in the corner and Cleall-Harding, in only his third appearance for the club, opened his Arabs account. It was a moment for the youngster to cherish but Ferguson will question the defending as Cleall-Harding was given time and space to rise and glance a fine header into the net.
United’s first chance had come a few minutes earlier but Glenn Middleton couldn’t capitalise. The ball broke to the former Ibrox youngster inside the area. Butland made a smart save.
Jim Goodwin would surely have had a glance at events elsewhere when he returned to the away dressing room. Events at Pittodrie were the most pressing matter for United given the closeness of the battle for European spots.
Their chances of boosting those aspirations vanished in the space of a couple of minutes as Rangers made sure of the points. It was not the ending that Goodwin would have been dreaming of when he saw his side take the lead.
A goodbye for the goalie?
The decision to drop Butland for the visit of Athletic Club was a decision that Ferguson made with his head. The decision to bring him back into the team here felt like one that was made with his heart. Was this the last time that fans will see the former England keeper in their colours?
Butland had to lose his place in the team last month. The mistakes had accumulated at too great a rate and the error in the defeat to Hibernian – following high-profile ones against the likes of Manchester United, Motherwell and Dundee – was one too many for Butland.
At 32, Butland cannot be a number two keeper at Ibrox. He is either all-but guaranteed the gloves next term or he has to move on. This occasion had the feeling of a farewell.
He could not mark it with a clean sheet. He was left exposed by the dreadful defending for the United opener. A reaction stop to deny Dessers after he inadvertently turned the ball towards his own goal was a moment of class and a reminder of his ability.
He could have watched the second half from a seat in the Broomloan as United rarely ventured forward. Were they his last minutes as a Ranger?
Farewells are not fond ones
Butland is not the only member of this squad that faces an uncertain future in the coming months. Some are out of contract, others are out of the picture. The likes of John Souttar and Diomande look set to be important parts of the group going forward but this would have been a goodbye for many of their peers.
Even those that supporters do not wish to see depart are not guaranteed to stay. What will happen with Raskin given his contract situation? And what decision will be made if a club tests the resolve with a bid for Hamza Igamane? It is set for another hectic summer.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Tom Lawrence came off the bench for the final 15 minutes. Danilo and Oscar Cortes followed, as did Bailey Rice. The reception for Cerny was well deserved on his penultimate outing for the club.
The stands were virtually empty by the time the whistle was blown and the players started to wave goodbye to the crowd. Ferguson stated on Tuesday that he expected an update on the managerial situation in the coming days and that would be more than welcomed by supporters.
Even that will do little to provide clarity for most of these players, however. Loans will end and deals will expire. For many, it will be another few weeks before bags can be packed.
The applause at the end was a sign of respect. Those on the park and those in the stands knew that this season has been an abject failure.
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