Is Barry Ferguson's Rangers record against Celtic enough to convince 49ers he's their man after all? Monday Jury

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Barry Ferguson’s interim stint will end with an unbeaten record against Brendan Rodgers but is that enough to keep him in the job?

KEITH JACKSON : That depends very much on the conversation he had last week behind closed doors with Kevin Thelwell. If the incoming sporting director liked what he heard then Ferguson may still be in the managerial mix with time very much of the essence.

MICHAEL GANNON : It’s hard to see Ferguson getting the gig. It’s been a mixed bag – but that was always going to be the case with this Gers squad. The question is whether the new owners have a different vision and where they want to take it.

ANDY NEWPORT : Unlikely. He inherited a shambles but had to do something special to convince his doubters. His team have left him down on too many occasions for him to be a serious contender.

FRASER WILSON : I wouldn’t think so. It’s a fantastic record against the toughest opponent on home soil but the bigger picture - four wins from 12 games and none at Ibrox - is damaging to Ferguson’s hopes. He was on a hiding to nothing with the squad at his disposal and has shown he could be a good manager elsewhere but, for next season, probably not at Ibrox.

Are Hibs now nailed on for a third placed finish?

KEITH : Yes. And they’ll thoroughly deserve it too. David Gray has done an outstanding job and his team is comfortably the best of the rest.

MICHAEL : They are almost home and hosed. Aberdeen have the Old Firm back to back next so another win and David Gray’s men will be officially best of the rest.

ANDY : Certainly it’s in their grasp. Both David Gray’s men and the Dons still have the Old Firm to play but you have to say the Leith men look to have the momentum and belief to finish the job.

FRASER : Not quite. Goal difference means they are as good as four points clear of Aberdeen so if the Dons want to stay in the race they really need to win at Ibrox next Sunday and hope Hibs lose at Parkhead. That’s doable. But the smart money is on Hibs who have been superb since late November.

Will St Mirren topple Dundee United to claim a European spot?

KEITH : It’s certainly possible. A win at Tannadice on Saturday would cut the gap to just two points and Stephen Robinson is making a happy habit of defying all the odds.

MICHAEL : You can never write off Saints and the pair of them square up next. It’ll be tough for the Buddies if it’s tight with Celtic on the final day of the season.

ANDY : I worry for United listening to Jim Goodwin’s comments on his players’ lack of energy. It’s been a long hard slog of a campaign but the job isn’t done yet. Lose to the Buddies next week and alarm bells won’t just be ringing, they will be clattering off the wall.

FRASER : Saints looked really strong against Aberdeen and I’d fancy them to go and beat United for the first time this season - then it comes down to nerve. United would still have a two point cushion and I’d fancy them to drag themselves over the line in fifth.

How will Falkirk do in the top flight next season?

KEITH : The performance they put on against Celtic in the Scottish Cup suggests they’ll cope with the step up. More than that, they’ll be a welcome addition to the Premiership and may even have an outside shot at the top six.

MICHAEL : Absolutely fine. John McGlynn will have the Bairns competitive every week and with a couple of signings and they can be pushing for the top end of the bottom six.

ANDY : I fancy them to adapt well. John McGlynn’s team play a fantastic brand of football and as they proved at Celtic Park earlier this season, they won’t shy away from going toe to toe with the top flight big boys. If they can add some more experience I can see them doing well.

FRASER : With three or four Premiership quality additions in key areas, starting in goal, then they should be comfortable and maybe even pushing for a top six spot. It goes without saying that holding onto John McGlynn this summer is also key.

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