NACHO NOVO reckons Barry Ferguson has set the Rangers players free.
Unlike the Philippe Clement regime, which he reckons was like a stretch in PRISON.
Barry Ferguson has been loving life in the Ibrox dugout[/caption]
Philippe Clement never quite clicked with his players in Scotland[/caption]
Nacho Novo has given his take on the two gaffers[/caption]
The Ibrox legend wants to see his former team-mate given more time as the club’s manager.
Because, the way fans favourite Novo see it, the squad were DOING time under the sacked Belgian.
Novo told SunSport: “I heard what it was like under Clement – I know people.
“And it wasn’t easy for the players.
“Now I think the players love Barry.
“He’s brought lots of things to the team since he’s taken over.
“Before, the team didn’t get a day off.
“The team didn’t even play five-asides and in training games they weren’t allowed to tackle.
“So how could anyone expect the players to be ready for a domestic game? I just didn’t get it.
“Fergie changed everything about that, and you can see the results now.
“Before there were three-hour training session too.
“That’s maybe okay in Europe but, for me personally, the players need to enjoy their football.
“It’s not to be like going to prison!
“But that’s what it seemed like – being in prison – with no time off to spend with your family.
“Fergie has given them days off – a week off during the international break – to spend time with their families.
“That’s very important.
“Barry isn’t stupid, he’s worked with very good, top managers so I’m 100 percent behind him.
“He was a good player but he’s proving now that he’s a good manager.
“He’s got Neil McCann beside him, and Billy Dodds, who are both very good coaches.
“They have been managers before too.
Barry Ferguson with Neil McCann and Billy Dodds[/caption]
“They know about the game so, for me, the club should give them one year and see what happens. Why not?
“I am not the owner of the club but that’s what I would do. We need to look after our own people.”
Novo played alongside Ferguson during his time at Ibrox and wasn’t sure he was cut out for management – because he was too grumpy behind the scenes.
The former striker laughed and added: “You know what, he was always moaning.
“He was moaning all the time!
“But that’s Barry.
“He is now totally different as the manager with the players now.
“He is putting big demands on them because he knows what it takes to win trophies.
“He’s a legend at the club for a reason.
“But you can see the players love him.”
Novo reckons the recent upturn in form in Cyriel Dessers has also been down to Ferguson’s changes behind the scenes.
Cyriel Dessers celebrates Celtic win with the gaffer[/caption]
The Nigeria international notched his 45th goal for the club on his 100th appearance against Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday evening.
His last gasp stoppage time winner was his 12th ATTEMPT during the thrilling Premiership clash.
The amount of chances he missed was staggering.
But Novo insists there is nothing negative about any striker who keeps passing up opportunities.
He’s only start to worry if he was getting none.
Novo himself scored his way into the hearts of the Rangers support.
But it wasn’t always easy.
That’s why he’s got empathy for Dessers who divides opinion in a light blue jersey.
He added: “When I first signed for the club I was missing chances and couldn’t score.
“I think I played 11 games without a goal and it was difficult.
“Then I got two against Dundee and after that I scored goals for fun.
“It’s not easy with the pressure that comes with playing for a huge club like Rangers.
“But if you doubt yourself then you are dead.
“You’re probably finished at the club if you don’t have the right mentality.
“You need a big personality and I think that’s something that I had in my time at the club.
“Dessers has shown he’s got that too because he’s been criticised and still got himself into the right positions.
“That’s what Ally McCoist used to say to me all the time. He’d talk about how the most important thing was getting the chances.
“He’d say ‘as a striker you only worry when you’re not getting into the position to score.’
“Dessers misses chances but also scores a lot of goals because he knows where to be. For me, he’s a good player.
“We’ve seen so many good players come to Rangers and it doesn’t work out for them.
“It’s about the mentality but I think Dessers has that.
“He’s working hard for the team and has proved he can finish given he has scored over 20 goals against this season.
“Obviously, no-one likes missing chances but he’s always coming back for more.
“I think Fergie has been good good for him too.
“He is someone who understands the demands at Rangers and will known what to say to the players.”
Meanwhile, Novo insists Ferguson deserves a full season as Ibrox boss.
Fergie is caretaker manager until the end of the season after replacing axed Philippe Clement.
But Novo reckons his former team-mate has already earned the chance to stay on longer.
He told SunSport: “Fergie has done a fantastic job.
“For me, I would give him one year.
Novo and Ferguson after winning the league title in 2005[/caption]
“He knows about the club and understands the mentality that’s required to play for Rangers.
“Obviously there are things that need to be sorted out – we saw that after being 2-0 behind the then 3-1 down to Dundee.
“But he pushed them to win the game.
“Had it been Clement we would have lost that game.
“For me, I would give Fergie one year to see because there is no point in bringing in another guy and giving him a three or four year contract and then having to sack him after one or two years.
“I think the club should be clever about it.
“There are new owners coming in and there has been talk about them appointing a big name.
“But personally, they should give Fergie a chance for one year at the club he loves. And if he does well then they can extend it.
“He loves Rangers and you can see he loves being the manager who why not?
“I also think he has spoken really well too.
“He’s been very good overall so why not give him one year and then see what happens.
“He has got a good team beside him which has helped him.
“Neil McCann is a very good coach and Billy Dodds is also someone who knows football.
“If the club were to allow them to bring in new players in the summer, they could do well.”
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