Ferguson focused on Rangers despite Arteta’s Champions League heroics

Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson acknowledged his former teammate Mikel Arteta’s incredible 3-0 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Real Madrid with Arsenal on Tuesday night - but his own focus was elsewhere.

The former Rangers captain instead spent the evening watching footage of his own side’s Europa League opponents, Athletic Bilbao.

When asked if he could take any inspiration from Arteta - who partnered Ferguson in the Rangers midfield during their treble-winning campaign in 2002/03 - Ferguson insisted that, while he was aware of the score, he had been fully immersed in his own preparations during the match.

He said: “I was watching Athletic Bilbao - that's what I was watching.

“My only focus is on this club here and making sure that I get a reaction from what we all watched on Saturday.”

Ferguson was, however, full of praise for the Spaniard, who also played for Everton and Arsenal during his career in the English Premier League.

He said: “He's done a brilliant job. What a result for him against the favourites to win the Champions League.

“It’s great to see ex-teammates in jobs, under pressure, win games.

“It’s brilliant to see.”

Rangers face off against Bilbao in their UEFA Europa League first leg tie at Ibrox at 8:00pm tonight, whilst Arteta and Arsenal look to finish the job against Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday at 8:00pm.