Kris Boyd has hit back at Brendan Rodgers’ recent comments about Barry Ferguson’s impact at Rangers after the Light Blues secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Celtic at Parkhead on Sunday.
Rodgers had previously suggested that he hadn’t seen “great change” in Rangers under Ferguson’s leadership, but Boyd believes the Ibrox side’s performance in the derby proves otherwise.
Speaking on Sky Sports after full-time, Boyd said: “Listen, Celtic obviously won the cup final but there will be a little bit of a concern for me if I’m Brendan Rodgers now - that’s nine goals they have conceded in three games.
“They won the cup final but it wasn’t really something we have seen - especially here (at Celtic Park). Anybody coming here, they just don’t score goals, but Rangers could have had four or five.”
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Boyd acknowledged Celtic’s dominance in possession during the second half but insisted Rangers’ first-half display highlighted clear improvements under Ferguson.
He continued: “Second half, you would expect Celtic to have a lot of the ball and penetrate Rangers - and that is exactly what happened, and Rangers were able to find a winner. But Rangers in the first half were excellent, take nothing away from them. Brendan Rodgers had a pop in terms of he has not really seen anything different - he has today.”
Rodgers’ initial remarks came earlier in the week when he was asked about Ferguson’s tenure so far. While acknowledging the former captain’s connection with the club and supporters, the Celtic boss downplayed any significant transformation in Rangers’ approach.
“Listen, I don’t know Barry but I know him as a player and I know that he’s gone in and he’ll have a great connection with the supporters,” Rodgers said.
“For me, if I look purely at the coaching aspect of it, over the course of four games I don’t see great change. You know, I see the team go 2-0 down against Kilmarnock and come back and win. I see the team lose at home to Motherwell. I see the team go away and get a fantastic result against Fenerbahce and then I see the team lose last night 2-0 over 90 minutes but win the tie.”
Rodgers pointed to a mix of results and tactical adjustments, but Boyd’s response suggests Rangers’ performance during the latest Old Firm fixture sends a clear message that change is indeed happening at Ibrox as they strive to have a positive end to the campaign.
Rangers' last-gasp victory reduces Celtic's Scottish Premiership lead to 13 points, with eight matches remaining.
