Fans stunned by clement social media post about Ferguson after Rangers pull out of Australia Tour – what a shame
In a surprising turn of events, former Rangers manager Philippe Clement has sparked controversy and fan backlash after posting a cryptic and pointed message on social media concerning club legend Barry Ferguson, just hours after Rangers officially withdrew from their planned pre-season tour in Australia.
The Belgian coach, who departed Rangers earlier this year after a turbulent campaign, took to his personal X (formerly Twitter) account to comment on the developing situation. In a now-deleted post, Clement wrote:
“Some people talk like legends, but act like liabilities. A shame the club bows to that pressure.”
The message, which many have interpreted as a veiled reference to Ferguson, immediately caused a stir among supporters and pundits alike.
Rangers had been scheduled to participate in a pre-season tour of Australia this summer, including matches against international sides and a highly anticipated Old Firm exhibition clash against Celtic in Sydney. However, the club confirmed on Monday that it had withdrawn from the event, citing “logistical challenges and a reassessment of pre-season priorities.”
Despite the official statement, speculation is rife that mounting fan pressure and internal disagreements contributed to the decision. Ferguson, who has been an outspoken critic of the tour since it was first announced, publicly questioned the club’s judgment in planning a high-profile fixture against their fiercest rivals on foreign soil.
In an appearance on a Scottish football podcast last week, Ferguson said, “You don’t take the Old Firm derby and turn it into a marketing event. That fixture means too much to too many. It’s sacred, not something you sell abroad for sponsorship money.” His comments were widely supported by the Rangers faithful, many of whom felt the tour compromised the integrity of the historic rivalry.
Clement’s post appeared to challenge this narrative, suggesting that the club may have backed out of the tour due to public pressure, possibly from Ferguson’s influence. Although Clement did not name Ferguson directly, the implication was enough to ignite debate across the fan base.
Reactions were swift. Some fans expressed outrage at Clement’s perceived disrespect toward Ferguson, who is widely regarded as one of Rangers’ most loyal servants. Others, however, felt Clement may have had a point about undue external influence affecting the club’s decision-making.
One supporter posted: “Regardless of where you stand on the Australia tour, going after Barry Ferguson in public like that is a bad look. He’s done more for this club than most ever will.”
Another wrote: “Clement may be bitter about his exit, but he’s not wrong—this club needs to stop letting fan pressure dictate football decisions. We’ve lost a big opportunity to grow the brand.”
Former players and pundits have also weighed in. Ally McCoist, speaking on talkSPORT, said, “The whole thing’s a mess. Barry’s entitled to his opinion, and Clement should’ve kept his thoughts off social media. It’s just adding fuel to a fire that didn’t need to be lit.”
As of now, neither Ferguson nor the club has responded directly to Clement’s comments, and the deleted post has not been officially addressed by the former manager.
This latest drama adds to a growing sense of instability at Ibrox, following a disappointing domestic season and a series of high-profile off-field incidents. With the club now scrambling to revise its pre-season plans, supporters are left wondering what the next chapter holds—and whether further rifts between past and present figures will continue to overshadow the team’s progress.
One thing is certain: Philippe Clement’s parting shot has reopened old wounds and raised fresh questions about leadership, loyalty, and legacy at Rangers Football Club.
