Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson has backed teenage prodigy Findlay Curtis, firmly dismissing suggestions the 18-year-old struggled to handle Aberdeen winger Shayden Morris during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Pittodrie.
Curtis was handed his first senior start for the Ibrox side and faced a tough introduction, with the pace and trickery of Morris proving a real challenge. The Aberdeen winger burst past the youngster shortly before half-time, cutting the ball back for Pape Gueye to double the Dons’ lead.
At that stage, the home side looked to be in full control against a much-changed Rangers line-up. But Curtis showed impressive character after the break, playing a key role in sparking the visitors’ fightback.
Just minutes into the second half, the teenager won a crucial aerial challenge, knocking the ball into the path of Hamza Igmane, who finished clinically to reduce the deficit.
Curtis, who was withdrawn after 75 minutes for Cyriel Dessers, still earned praise from Ferguson, who was quick to highlight the youngster’s mature performance — even in the face of a difficult first half for everyone in Rangers colours.
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When quizzed post-match about Curtis's first-half struggles, Ferguson was quick to defend the starlet.
“I disagree with you in the first half, I thought the young man was excellent. I disagree that he had a tough time," Ferguson told reporters.
"Overall I thought the full game until I brought him off, I thought young Findlay was really good. I must have been watching a different game because I thought the first half the young man was excellent."
Ferguson also pointed to the challenging environment Curtis was thrown into, praising the players composure under pressure.
“As I've said before, you've got to remember what age they are, we've not exposed him a lot. There's not been a lot of exposure and especially coming to Aberdeen, it's intimidating at times. But I thought the young man — I was proud of him today, proud of him.”
Curtis watched on from the sidelines as Rangers’ dramatic comeback was completed deep into stoppage time.
Substitute Dessers rattled the post in the dying moments, with Jefte reacting quickest to pick out Ianis Hagi, who coolly slotted home to salvage a point for Ferguson’s men.
