Seven of the 13 points Rangers have recovered from losing positions have come in the former captain’s short tenure, which highlights the character he has instilled.

But the fact his side are consistently giving themselves a mountain to climb is a fundamental reason why they have won just three of Ferguson’s six league games.

And they have now been reduced to 10 men in the first half of successive games, following their home stalemate with Bilbao with a comeback draw at Pittodrie.

“They showed a bit of character, a bit of desire,” Ferguson added. “But we don’t help ourselves and that is the issue I have just now.

“We’ve got to play better, but we’ve got to try and keep 11 men on the pitch. That’s becoming a recurring theme.

“I know I made a lot of changes, but that is on my shoulders. I made the decision on Saturday [to make nine changes].

“Did it help? I thought it would give people the opportunity to go and give me [selection] problems.”

With the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final away to Bilbao looming on Thursday, Ferguson has fitness doubts over “three or four key players” and is hoping for “good news from the medical staff”.