Barry Ferguson will walk out to an emotional homecoming when he takes charge of his beloved Rangers for the first time at Ibrox Stadium.

It’s the first time he’ll have been involved in a competitive game at the Govan ground since his final fixture as a player 16 years ago, coming off the bench in a 2-1 Scottish Premiership win over Aberdeen in the penultimate match of a title-winning season. Motherwell are the visitors and new boss Michael Wimmer will be looking to cause a shock a year on from the Steelmen earning a stunning win under Stuart Kettlewell which was the start of the faltering Scottish Premiership title challenge under Philippe Clement as the wheels come off during the run-in.

Ferguson has had a chance to have a look at his players after their comeback win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in midweek when they recovered from a nightmare start that could have seen him change his entire team. It was rookie defender Clinton Nsiala who was hooked on the half hour but central defensive partner Robin Propper could easily have been taken off.

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Skipper James Tavernier moved into the heart of defence and helped steady the ship and it will be an area Ferguson might look to change. John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling were all back in training but and Ferguson will see how they react but he might be reluctant to throw them straight in.

One man who he could turn to is Rafael Fernandes who has only started one game and was himself subbed after an hour of the humiliating 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat to Queen’s Park. The Portuguese stopper is on loan from Lille and Ferguson will want to see what he can offer with the club having an option to buy him in the summer.

Leon King is also no longer a central defensive option after joining Queen’s Park on loan. Ferguson will also have Thursday’s huge Europa League fixture in Istanbul in his mind when he pits his wits against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.

Predicted XI

Provisional Rangers squad

Goalkeepers

• Jack Butland

• Liam Kelly

• Mason Munn

Defenders

• Rafael Fernandes

• James Taverner

• John Souttar

• Robin Propper

• Jefte

• Ridvan Yilmaz

• Clinton Nsiala

• Dujon Sterling

• Leon Balogun

Midfielders

• Nico Raskin

• Mohamed Diomande

• Nedim Bajrami

• Bailey Rice

• Ianis Hagi

• Vaclav Cerny

• Ross McCausland

• Findlay Curtis

Forwards

• Cyriel Dessers

• Hamza Igamane

• Danilo