Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson has admitted that watching fans stream out of Ibrox during Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Hibernian was "a sore one to take" as the club's crisis deepens with a fifth consecutive home defeat.
The former Rangers captain, who stepped into the hot seat following the recent managerial change, cut a dejected figure on the touchline as Martin Boyle's VAR-confirmed second goal in the 70th minute prompted a mass exodus of supporters, leaving vast swathes of empty blue seats for the remainder of the match.
"That was tough, standing on the touchlines watching the place empty," Ferguson acknowledged in a brutally honest assessment.
"I can't be having that. My players can't be having that. That's a sore one to take. And that's been in the back of my mind since Saturday."
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Despite the alarming run of form at Ibrox, Ferguson believes the Rangers faithful will continue to back the team initially in matches but emphasised that it's up to the players to maintain that support through improved performances.
"I've no fear in terms of them coming and supporting us at the start of the game," Ferguson stated. "But we have to dictate to the stands. We need to go and give a performance. And if we do that, then the fans will get right behind us."
"I honestly believe that fans can accept you not playing at the level. But what they can't accept is seeing a team dig deep, run harder, tackle harder," Ferguson explained. "All the things that I mentioned on Saturday. And that's what I have to see from my team going forward."
Ferguson placed the responsibility for turning things around squarely on himself, his coaching staff, and the players.
"We're the only ones that can affect that now going forward," he insisted. "Because if that's not going to be the case, then you're not going to be on the team."
