Barry Ferguson reply to Rangers sport scientists sums him up - this phrase would never have left his mouth before derby

Pragmatism.

“The quality of dealing with a problem in a sensible way that suits the conditions that really exist, rather than following fixed theories, ideas or rules.”

That definition also describes exactly how Barry Ferguson is going about this job as Rangers manager.

And it perfectly sums up how his team left Celtic Park on Sunday with a much deserved victory over their Old Firm rivals.

Ferguson isn’t a defensive minded coach. Nor is he one with a specific attacking philosophy.

He’s a pragmatist. Just like his mentor, Walter Smith.

Just like his former team-mate, who has regularly been touted for the role, Derek McInnes. And it just so happens that right now at Ibrox - that’s exactly what this group of players need.

Ferguson’s win at Parkhead wasn’t one for the purists or football hipsters.

Not once in his pre or post match interviews did he talk about xG, low blocks or shots on target.

He just got the job done with what he had at his disposal. And ultimately, that’s what his predecessor, Philippe Clement, couldn’t do.

Far too often, the big Belgian tried to complicate matters. By the end of his tenure, he was driving punters crazy with some of his comments.

Whether it was sports science - or daring to have a pop at serial winner Jose Mourinho’s tactics just days after his team had lost to Queen’s Park - Clement was in danger of losing the plot.

Ferguson has simplified things at Ibrox, on and off the pitch.

It’s no coincidence, for example, that almost immediately taking on the role as interim gaffer, EVERY player bar Oscar Cortes has declared themselves fully fit.

When was that the case under Clement? After 120 minutes of graft against Fenerbahce last midweek, he’d have turned up on the other side of the city talking