Barry Ferguson Unleashes Fury in Brutal Interview Over Rangers Charges, Claims SFA Bias Towards Celtic
In a fiery interview that has sent shockwaves through Scottish football, Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson has delivered a scathing assessment of the Scottish Football Association (SFA), accusing the governing body of consistently favoring Celtic over his beloved Rangers. The former Ibrox captain, never one to mince words, pointed to what he perceives as a pattern of preferential treatment in disciplinary rulings and key decisions, reigniting the age-old debate over fairness in the Scottish game. With tensions already high between the Glasgow giants, Ferguson’s outspoken claims have added fuel to the fire ahead of their next clash. Here, we unpack five specific instances where Ferguson believes the SFA has tilted the scales in Celtic’s favor.
1. The Leigh Griffiths Ibrox Incident (2018)
Ferguson didn’t hold back when referencing an infamous moment involving former Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths. During a match at Ibrox, Griffiths attempted to tie a Celtic scarf to the goalpost and later wiped his nose on a corner flag—actions widely seen as provocative towards Rangers fans. Despite the potential to incite unrest, the SFA took no disciplinary action against Griffiths. Ferguson argued in his interview, “If that had been a Rangers player at Parkhead, the SFA would’ve thrown the book at him. It’s a clear double standard—Celtic players get a free pass to wind up our fans, but we’d be hammered for the same.”
2. Brendan Rodgers’ VAR Outburst (2024)
Ferguson pointed to an incident earlier this year when Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers publicly criticized VAR official John Beaton after a controversial loss to Hearts. Rodgers faced a potential two-game ban, but the SFA scheduled his hearing for late March, allowing him to remain in the dugout for crucial matches, including a clash against Rangers. “The timing was a joke,” Ferguson fumed. “They bent over backwards to make sure he wasn’t sidelined for big games. If that was a Rangers manager, we’d have been punished before the ink dried on the complaint.”
3. Vaclav Cerny’s Watergate at Celtic Park (2025)
One of Ferguson’s most recent gripes centers on Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny’s actions during a match at Celtic Park earlier this year. After scoring, Cerny squirted water into the Celtic crowd, an act that could have sparked serious trouble. Yet, the SFA has so far failed to issue any retrospective punishment, despite Celtic fans and pundits calling for action. Ferguson, who defended Cerny’s exuberance, flipped the script in his interview: “If a Celtic player did that at Ibrox, the SFA would’ve had a hearing the next day. They’re dragging their feet because it’s us—they don’t want to upset Celtic’s narrative.”
4. The 2008 UEFA Cup Run Scheduling Chaos
Reflecting on his playing days, Ferguson revisited Rangers’ remarkable run to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final, a campaign he believes was undermined by the SFA. With Rangers forced to play five games in 11 days due to a congested fixture list, Ferguson insists the SFA refused to ease the burden, costing them the league title to Celtic. “We were knackered, and they didn’t care,” he said. “Celtic got every chance to rest and recover that season, but the SFA made sure we were stretched to breaking point. It’s favoritism, plain and simple.”
5. Alfredo Morelos’ Disallowed Goal (2023)
Ferguson also highlighted a controversial VAR decision during a 2023 Old Firm clash at Ibrox, where Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos had a goal chalked off for a marginal foul. Celtic went on to win the match, and Ferguson believes the call exemplified the SFA’s leniency towards Celtic. “That was a game-changer, and the refs bottled it,” he raged. “Celtic get the benefit of the doubt every time there’s a tight call. Our players get scrutinized to death, but they’re untouchable.”
In his brutal takedown, Ferguson didn’t just stop at specific incidents. He accused the SFA of fostering an environment where Rangers are perpetually under pressure to justify themselves, while Celtic are given leeway to operate with impunity. “The rules only seem to apply when it’s us,” he said. “I’m not saying we’re perfect, but the inconsistency stinks. It’s been going on for years, and it’s about time someone called it out.”
Ferguson’s comments have sparked a fierce reaction across Scottish football. Celtic supporters have dismissed his claims as sour grapes, pointing to Rangers’ own history of disciplinary leniency, while Rangers fans have rallied behind their interim boss, seeing his outburst as a long-overdue stand against perceived bias. The SFA, for its part, has remained silent, but pressure is mounting for a response as the Old Firm rivalry reaches boiling point.
As Ferguson prepares his Rangers side for their next battle, his words have ensured that the spotlight isn’t just on the pitch—it’s on the authorities too. Whether his claims hold water or are simply the frustrations of a fiercely loyal club legend, one thing is clear: Barry Ferguson isn’t backing down, and the debate over SFA favoritism is far from over.
