Barry Ferguson has explained why he’s made only one change to his starting XI as Rangers face Motherwell at Ibrox this afternoon.
Clinton Nsiala was substituted after 31 minutes following a turbulent display at Kilmarnock in midweek. And the former AC Milan kid is out of the Rangers squad completely, with Ridvan Yilmaz taking his spot in the Light Blues' defence.
While, Leon Balogun is fit enough to feature on the bench for the first time since picking up an injury during a Europa League tie against Manchester United on January 23.
"Clinton has been absolutely spot on," Ferguson said. "I spoke to him on Thursday, I spoke to him again which I think you have to do because as a young player you've got the responsibility. But he totally understands it.
"He's got a bright future ahead of him, there's no doubt. I just think sometimes it's good to take him out where he can sit back and kind of reflect a wee bit.
"We will certainly go and work with him, there's no doubt about it. As I said, he was in the matchday squad, just not obviously in the 19.
"But listen, he's coping with it in a mature way which I like."
Read more:
- Ex-Celtic & Rangers kid unleashes extraordinary rant at Irish club
- Ferguson hails Tavernier's 'unbelievable' 500-game Rangers milestone
The legendary Rangers captain is set to be in the home dugout for the first time since replacing Philippe Clement earlier this week.
Ferguson will take the managerial helm on an interim basis until the end of the season, and he got off to a winning start on Wednesday night with the Light Blues coming from two goals down to beat Kilmarnock 4-2 at Rugby Park.
This will prove a different test against Motherwell, particularly because Rangers have lost their last two matches in front of an expectant Ibrox crowd.
But Ferguson believes his players are fired up and ready to embrace the challenge.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said: "I was lucky enough to play here and captain the club. Now to go and stand on the touchline and manage this group of players is special of course.
"But it's not about me, it's about Rangers Football Club starting to get results on the pitch.
"I'm looking forward to it, we have prepared the best we can. I know it was over a short period of time, but listen, we're ready. The guys know what way we have got to go about it against a good Motherwell team."
