Ferguson '100% impressed' by Rohl's impact at Rangers

Barry Ferguson has praised Rangers head coach Danny Rohl, saying he would never have believed the German could have steered the team back into the title race this season.

Former Ibrox captain Ferguson, who worked as interim boss at Rangers in the second half of last season, admits it wasn't pleasant watching from afar as Russell Martin's tenure ended in disaster but he has admired how Rohl has turned things around.

"I never enjoyed the start of the season," he told BBC Scotland. "Since Danny Rohl has come in in October, I think he's really drove the team forward .

"If you had asked me back in October, if Rangers would be in a title fight, I would have looked at you in a strange way. I'm really positive about what's happened in the last four months and I'm looking forward to the business end of the season starting.

"I'm very impressed with how he carries himself and how he comes across in his press conferences.

"I also like what he's doing on the field. He's very flexible in terms of formations. I like the business he did in January in the transfer window too.

"Am I impressed? 100%. I admire what he's done because this club needs silverware and he's got us to a stage where we are really in the mix now."

Ferguson also thinks the Rangers support are playing their part in the revival, and can help the team in the crucial league run-in and Scottish Cup push.

"They are always so important," he said. "I was at the Hearts game and the place was electric, the best I have heard in a long time.

"I think the fans understand where the team are at the moment because four months ago I think we were sitting second bottom of the league.

"The fans will always get behind the team if they give 100% and I think the energy they bring certainly helps the boys that are on the pitch."