Barry Ferguson passes 'biggest' Rangers challenge as interim boss told 2 things he's instilled since taking Ibrox gig

The interim boss watched his side recover a two goal deficit to triumph in a seven-goal thriller over Dundee at Dens Park

Barry Ferguson and his Rangers players passed their 'biggest challenge' after showing their powers of recovery at Dundee.

The Light Blues trailed 2-0 and 3-1 in the Saturday evening clash at Dens Park before sparking a late comeback with Cyriel Dessers netting in added-time to bag all three points in a seven-goal thriller in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Before the international break, Rangers went to Celtic's backyard and dumped Brendan Rodgers' men 3-2 but interim boss Fergie was left baffled by the performance in the City of Discovery and admitted words were had after old habits returned.

Former Hearts boss and Ibrox striker Steven Naismith gave credit to Ferguson for identifying the first half issues and changing the shape which in turn brought urgency and more bodies into the attacking areas.

He labelled the game as the 'biggest challenge' for Ferguson and his staff so far as his team had to show if they had enough about them to respond and come back to secure the points - which they did by running out 4-3 winners.

Naismith also believes passion and fight are the two biggest traits that have been brought to the table under the former club captain since he's taken on the hot seat following Philippe Clement's dismissal.

He told BBC Sportscene: "I thought the first half in the shape they had too many players behind the ball. They didn't have that attacking threat.

"The second half, as Barry said, he changes it and that changes everything. There was a bit of an urgency and in the attacking areas they had more bodies. Some of the goals, you can't give [James] Tavernier that time and space. You can't give [Tom] Lawrence that space on the edge of the box because there is really good quality there.

"Today was probably Barry Ferguson's biggest challenge. These away days against good, organised teams. Have you got enough about you to come back?

"They've shown it. There is things they need to be better at. Dessers comes up with a goal, he could have had about five."

He added: "I think he acknowledges it. He sees old traits. He wants to move it. I think the passion and fight is the biggest thing he's brought to the squad in the time he's taken charge."

Giving his assessment after the game, Ferguson said: "My thoughts are really happy with the three points, but overall I see so many old habits creeping in and I just had a word with them about it. I am not going to allow that to happen.

"We have a full week now and that is something me, my staff and the players will sit down, go through things and go out on the grass. At stages in the game I was a bit baffled at times.

"One thing I will say about them, they showed character. I keep using this word all the time but this has been labelled against them.

"They never gave in. Even at 3-1. I made a few changes that made a difference but I just sensed when we got our second goal to make it 3-2 we could go on and get the three points.

"But I am happy and not happy. I am happy with the three points but not happy with certain things that happened on the pitch and that is up to me now to make sure that doesn't happen again. That's been the issue.

"I told them at half-time and after the game, be happy it is a difficult place to come, be happy with the three points but they can't be happy with the performance.

"I didn't see it coming. Maybe I am guilty of thinking it was all rosy in the garden. But we need to sort a few things going forward.

"We've got a full week of preparation before Hibs come to Ibrox and for sure we will be sitting down going through things, working on things and making sure old, bad habits don't creep in again."