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Monday, 16 October 2006, 09:14 GMT 10:14 UK

Ferguson feels Rangers pressure

Rangers goalkeeper Lionel Letizi (left) and captain Barry Ferguson Rangers captain Barry Ferguson says the fans are entitled to vent their frustration over the club's poor form.

The Ibrox side are 10 points behind league leaders Celtic after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

"The pressure is on," Ferguson said. "Everyone in the dressing room was disappointed and, to be fair, it was a bit of a shocker.

"Ten points is a lot of points. Livorno is now a huge game for us."

Ferguson said the Ibrox side could ill afford to lose further ground on their Old Firm rivals.

"It does hurt us to hear the fans turn, but I can feel their frustration"
Barry Ferguson

"Everybody knows that, at a club the size of Rangers, the pressure is always on to win games," the midfielder said.

"A draw here is a disaster and a defeat is even worse. It does hurt us to hear the fans turn, but I can feel their frustration.

"They pay hundreds of pounds a year to come here and watch us play.

"I am desperate, and I hope the rest of the team is desperate, to win every game for them. But, at the moment, it is difficult for everyone."

Ferguson said Celtic's lead was not insurmountable with more than two-thirds of the season to play.

The midfielder was reluctant to comment on manager Paul Le Guen's controversial decision to reinstate goalkeeper Lionel Letizi at the expense of Allan McGregor.

Paul Le Guen

Letizi appeared to be at fault for the Inverness goal after spilling a Craig Dargo shot, allowing Graham Bayne to score.

Ferguson said: "Lionel saved the shot, but the guy nipped in and scored. I didn't get a good view of it, but we are not going to put the blame on him.

"You can say it's a mistake or you can say the defence didn't react quickly enough. I didn't see the whole thing, so it's difficult for me to say.

"Who will play in goal on Thursday (against Livorno)? It's the manager's decision and is nothing to do with me as he picks the teams and decides who plays."

The Rangers captain said the Uefa Cup tie with Livorno was shaping as "a huge game" for the club.




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Related to this story:

Le Guen dodges keeper controversy (18 Oct 06 |  Rangers )
Rangers 0-1 Inverness CT (14 Oct 06 |  Scottish Premier )
Letizi in line for Rangers recall (10 Oct 06 |  Rangers )

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