Barry Ferguson is used to proving people wrong. He did it when signed for Birmingham City by Alex McLeish back in the summer of 2009, and he is now determined to do it again as interim Rangers head coach.

A hero of Blues' League Cup final victory over Arsenal in 2011, Ferguson was this week named as the latest Ibrox boss following the sacking of Philippe Clement - and he understands why some fans are sceptical about his appointment.

McLeish said Ferguson had "unfinished business" when signing him for Blues following an earlier spell in England with Blackburn Rovers, and the former Rangers skipper is now facing a similar challenge again.

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When asked during his first press conference as Rangers boss how he responded to those who questioned whether he had the experience for the role, the former Scotland midfielder said: "Judge me at the end of the three months.

"I have no issue with that. Everybody's entitled to their opinion. I would rather be judged come the end of the season, but also know I'm going to be judged game by game. This is just the nature of the beast when you're at Glasgow Rangers."

Ferguson had no doubts about his own ability, despite putting a coaching career out of his mind before a phone call on Sunday changed his life.

Ferguson has previously been in charge of League 2 Clyde and led Kelty Hearts into the SPFL before quitting to take charge of League 1 Alloa. However, a disappointing spell ended in February 2022 and Ferguson has recently combined media work with an ambassadorial role at Ibrox.

But the dismissal of Clement after Saturday's defeat by St Mirren led to the club appointing Ferguson as manager for the remainder of the season. Talking about his return to coaching after almost eight years, he added: "I had a quiet life for a few years. I was enjoying a new role at the club. I was a club ambassador for the past year-and-a-half.

"But listen, when you get offered the opportunity I have here there was no way I was turning it down. I'm just glad I took it and we'll see where it goes. But look, I'm confident. I'm confident in my ability, I'm confident in my staff's ability and also the players. I wouldn't be sitting here if I didn't feel ready.

"Did I want to go back into coaching and management? If I'm brutally honest, I wasn't thinking about it. But when that phone call comes, there was no way that I was going to turn it down. And being back now a couple of days, it just excites me. I'm desperate to get started. I loved being out on the grass with the players and I can't wait to get out on the touchline."

Ferguson has brought in former Rangers team-mates Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor to join his coaching staff, and also laid out his demands to his new players.

Rangers are currently 13 points adrift of William Hill Premiership leaders Celtic, but the new boss recognises that restoring confidence and positivity is key after consecutive home defeats by Queen's Park and St Mirren.

"I expect them to win games of football," he said. "I expect them to give me everything they've got, because that's one thing I'll give them and my coaching staff as well.

"I had a brief meeting with them for five or 10 minutes and I got it across and they fully understand my expectations.

"This is a brilliant place to be. You're lucky to be at a place like this. You look at the training facility, you look at the stadium, you look at the support. They're well looked after in terms of the staff at the club.

"So I feel it's going to be a good place to be. I felt a difference, the staff round about the place said to me they felt a difference and it's important for me to carry that on.

"I know the way football operates nowadays. Some players need an arm round about them. Some maybe need a wee clip round about the ear. I'll suss out who needs what. But what I will say is, the response I got was the response that I wanted."

With the club carrying out a review of the football department, planning to appoint a sporting director and talks taking place over investment, Ferguson was coy over any long-term ambitions.

"I'll be honest with you, I've not even thought about that," he said. "My mindset at this moment is getting a result against Kilmarnock. It's one game at a time.

"I'm here until the end of the season and I'm going to give it everything I've got to try and start to get results for this football club."