Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland has spoken highly of Allan McGregor's impact since his return to the club as goalkeeping coach under Barry Ferguson, who took over on an interim basis following the sacking of Philippe Clement on February 23.
The transformation within the squad has been striking, with a more energised and confident group of players now led by a determined Ferguson and his coaching team, including McGregor, Neil McCann, and Billy Dodds.
Prior to the March international break, Rangers progressed past Fenerbahce to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and also recorded an impressive Glasgow derby victory over Celtic.
Butland, who is well-aware of the high expectations at Rangers, credited McGregor for his strong leadership and consistent presence.
“He’s still a very charismatic, very determined person. He’s someone who’s very selective with his words and when he chooses to use them. But he's a fantastic character. You don't get different characters with someone like him; he's the way he is, very genuine, very honest. It’s a pleasure to work with him,” Butland said.
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While McGregor’s primary focus is the goalkeepers, Butland noted that his influence reaches beyond their training sessions and joked how they haven't had as much time to fit in a round of golf together.
“I think he's very wary of his role and wants to focus on what he's doing," the former Manchester United keeper explained. "Obviously, that comes down to us as goalkeepers. But then set-play work and things like that, there are bits that he's involved in as well.
"But I think he's also very conscious of the manager and the staff, they're all doing that. They're all trying to do everything they can for the team. If it helps me and it helps us as goalkeepers, it helps everybody.”
Since Ferguson's appointment, Butland has noticed a palpable shift in both the team's atmosphere and performance on the pitch.
Reflecting on the intensity and focus introduced by Ferguson, Butland stated: “There’s been a hell of a lot of contact. From the minute the guys came in, they were very conscious about getting results, very conscious about trying to make the environment and the energy right, which they have now.
"They’ve come in with big voices, big energy, big characters, and you’ve got that. It’s very easy to follow. They’ve set a real standard for everybody, and it’s very easy to understand who they were, who they are as people, and who they were as players.”
The more direct approach taken by Ferguson has also meant increased intensity in training. Butland acknowledged that this approach has been demanding but necessary for the squad’s improvement.
“A few of the other lads might have been taken a little bit aback by some of the hairdryers at times, but I guess it’s what was needed. I think the boys have responded really well to it," he added.
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Butland’s optimism has been further bolstered by Rangers' recent performances, which have shown a sharp improvement since the managerial change.
The goalkeeper pointed to Rangers’ confidence-boosting 3-2 win at Celtic Park as a key example of the turnaround.
With a renewed sense of belief and purpose, Butland feels the Ibrox side, who are 13 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership standings can finish the 2024-25 campaign strongly.
"We've been able to go Thursday night, extra-time and penalties, and then to go there (Celtic Park) and get the result and put it in the form that we did shows that," he pointed out.
"We’re more than capable of it so that comes with the confidence that the group's created, that the manager's created, and the belief was there to go there and not show them respect, not to make it comfortable for them, which perhaps at times we have done and to go and take the game to them. And I think we did that.
"But that comes with confidence, comes with belief in your game plan and what you're doing. Ultimately, the performances that we've been putting in have been performances with energy and demands and standards, and we've been working there, and we've been getting towards a better performance, and we've put a few of those in."
