Ferguson says Rangers star can hurt Celtic with an app since February

Barry Ferguson told that daily record that Rangers Ryan Jack and Steven Davis should start in the Scottish Cup semi-finals to outmaneuver Celtic stars Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic.

The Gers hero firmly believes Sunday’s clash in the engine room will be either won or lost. He believes both sides are blessed with a multitude of qualities in this area, that whoever can lay claim to controlling the central third will then win the Old Firm derby at Hampden Park.

Celtic have won the last two meetings between the Glasgow sides, including a 2-1 win at Rangers earlier this month which Jack started. Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave the 30-year-old only his fourth Premier League start this season in a 66-minute appearance.

Van Bronckhorst also left Jack out of their squad last week to take on St Mirren. However, his absence was a tactical decision to ensure he can start at home against Braga in the Europa League on Thursday. He played 80 minutes before the quarter-final second leg went into overtime.

Davis didn’t play against either Braga or Celtic despite being on the Rangers bench. But he enjoyed 64 minutes against St Mirren for the 37-year-old’s ninth Premiership start this season in 13 games. He has also featured 12 times during their cup games.

But Davis has only played fourth-tier side Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup before Rangers take on Celtic on Sunday. The Galabank Stadium affair on 12 February was also the Northern Irishman’s last appearance before his subsequent encounter with St Mirren another injury problem.

Ferguson calls on Rangers to start Davis, Jack to thwart Celtic stars McGregor and Rogic

But despite Davis rarely playing and Jack helping in Celtic’s win over Rangers earlier this month, Ferguson wants Van Bronckhorst to start the duo as they can thwart the Bhoys in the engine room by restricting what Rogic and Hoops captain McGregor can do try to establish.

“There’s so much quality in this space,” he said. “But for me McGregor and Rogic are the guys who can control it for Celtic. But I would like to see them against Jack and Davis. These guys know how to dictate a football game when it’s really hot.”

In other news, Paul Merson fears a £45m Man City ace over a ‘different class’ Liverpool star.