Winning Carling Cup at Wembley beats anything I ever did at Rangers

[PaulRFC1 115]

BARRY FERGUSON says moving to Birmingham City has breathed new life into his career after going stale at Rangers.

And the former Ibrox skipper also insists that Sunday's incredible Carling Cup win over Arsenal was the biggest achievement of his career.

The midfielder left Scotland for a second crack at the Premiership under a cloud, having been stripped of the captaincy for both club and country following the infamous Boozegate affair.

And while his first stint south of the border with Blackburn Rovers was hampered by injury, he enjoyed his finest hour for the Blues as they beat red-hot favourites Arsenal 2-1 at Wembley.

The victory ensured Birmingham's first silverware in almost half a century and Ferguson played a key role in the middle of the park.

Achievement Ferguson paid tribute to the influence of old Light Blues boss Alex McLeish in helping him wipe the slate clean and tempting him back to England.

The 33-year-old said: "I've thought about it long and hard and I'd have to say this is my biggest achievement in the game. A few of my mates have asked me the question and I think this is the tops.

"I've played in finals and won medals north of the border and if I'm honest, it's probably a bigger achievement than reaching the UEFA Cup Final too. That was great but it's a lot different from the Champions League.

"I started laughing sometimes at the fact we were in the Final. I'm not making a joke or anything but it took us all a day or two to realise we'd got to the Final.

"I'm playing in the position that I want to so I've got nothing to complain about.

"I went a bit stale at Rangers if I'm honest. I had reached the stage where I would go out on a Saturday when I wasn't 100 per cent.

"You can't do that in England. You can ease up at the start of the week but if you are not focused two or three days before the game, if you are not eating right or looking after yourself, they are going to run over the top of you down here.

"The fitness and strength levels have to be 100 per cent. I believed I could do well in England but I didn't expect a Wembley final.

"I don't think anyone did. But we deserved it and after what we achieved I was proud of the whole club."

McLeish's last trophy win before Sunday's Wembley win were the incredible events of Helicopter Sunday when Rangers pipped Celtic to the SPL title in the final few minutes of the 2004-05 season.

Ferguson was in the thick of the action that day and is delighted to be teamed up with McLeish again, who was his boss back then and also his manager for a spell with Scotland.

He said: "The gaffer gets me fired up. I know how to wind him up as well. We know how to get other going, that's the kind of relationship we have.

"Hee has been great for me. I went through a rough patch 18 months ago which people know about.

"I had a few clubs interested in me. He phoned up, told me to come down to Birmingham and show people what I'm about. That's what I've done. Put it this way. I wouldn't have signed for Birmingham if it hadn't been for him.

"I was on holiday at the time and I knew as soon as I spoke to him that I'd come."

Birmingham City were huge underdogs to lift the League Cup against Arsene Wenger's men - who defeated the mighty Barcelona in the Champions League last month.

But Ferguson wasn't interested in making up the numbers. He said: "People say, 'Enjoy the occasion' but I don't really go with that.

"You only really enjoy an occasion as a footballer if you win. I've said it plenty of times, the day I accept losing - even in a training match - is the day I walk away.

Rivals "I have always had that inside me. It's been drummed into me from the age of eight when I was with Rangers. If that ever leaves me, there's no point in playing.

"I'm on the park, I'm moaning, I'm arrogant, but the day I stop doing that I will be of no use to anyone."

Ferguson is even loving life off the park in England - because fans of bitter rivals Aston Villa treat him much better than the Celtic faithful did when he was plying his trade in Scotland.

He said: "I've got three kids, I live in a nice area and I'm settled. Should I say this, even fans that support that other lot in Birmingham have been good to me. I couldn't say that in Glasgow, that's for sure."

Prior to Sunday's final Ferguson's last appearance at Wembley came before the stadium was redeveloped in a bitter-sweet experience as Scotland defeated England but lost on aggregate in their Euro 2000 play-off.

Ferguson said: "Playing at the old Wembley was one of the highlights of my career. When the new one was being built I did think to myself, 'Aye, I wouldn't mind playing there'.

"There are some great stadiums but Wembley is still the home of the game."

Winning the Carling Cup with a shitey wee team like Birmingham is better than leading your boyhood heroes to a domestic treble ? or the last 16 of the Champions League ? or the Uefa Cup final ? and all of the countless trophys you won ?

The Cup which all the big teams play their youth in because it is cared so little about is better than reaching a European final ?

Go fuck yourself Fergie.

[H72 265]

He's talking shite.

Move along.

[Clemdog 39,389]

Short memories some folk, eh?

[disgruntled_bear 157]

Just sums up Barry Ferguson, a person that has a distinct lack of respect and dignity.

[Bryan72 12]

Over-reacting much?

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

I have never been more offended....

[Papa Sasac 164]

Wouldn't read much into it to be honest. He's just helped the team win the first cup in 40 odd years.

Everyone knows the Carling Cup is less of an achievement that the UEFA final would be.

[neilstonloyal 186]

nae chance

carling cup final or uefa cup final

uefa cup final wins by a mile

[Govan Front Antz 15]

He is just saying that to appease people.

He is a bear, we all know his feelings.

[Ferdasyn 431]

Did anybody really expect him to say 'Aye, winning this cup was alright like but it's naw as good as what I done at Rangers.'

Winning a cup with Birmingham is more of an achievement than winning something at Rangers when you're expected to win every year anyway.

I'm just disappointed he said the same for the UEFA Cup run.

[PaulRFC1 115]

I have always stuck up for him on here but I didn't like that at all.

A boot in the balls is what that is.

To say the Carling Cup beats everything he done at Rangers is ridiculous.

[Totti 0]

If it was the FA Cup I would understand. Doesn't overly bother me though, we far far greater concerns and Ferguson was one of our best players in the last 15 years, one of the few talented youth players we've developed in modern times and it's good to see bears like Ferguson and Adam proving to be top players in England.

[Blue corn flakes 1,282]

Beating Celtic in the Scottish cup final and leading your team out as captain and winning numerous trophies with your boyhood team. Or winning the Carling cup with Birmingham. Fuck off fergie

[Guest SandyWATP]

Did anybody really expect him to say 'Aye, winning this cup was alright like but it's naw as good as what I done at Rangers.'

Winning a cup with Birmingham is more of an achievement than winning something at Rangers when you're expected to win every year anyway.

I'm just disappointed he said the same for the UEFA Cup run.

He didn't have to mention Rangers at all, he could have just said how much of a great achievement it was, no comparison was needed.

You can defend what Mcleish said, but this is a load of bollocks

[Blue corn flakes 1,282]

I have always stuck up for him on here but I didn't like that at all.

A boot in the balls is what that is.

To say the Carling Cup beats everything he done at Rangers is ridiculous.

Same here what a slap in the face to the Rangers that is.

[JTP 221]

I have always stuck up for him on here but I didn't like that at all.

A boot in the balls is what that is.

To say the Carling Cup beats everything he done at Rangers is ridiculous.

Pretty much sums it up for me too

Any Brum fan in their right mind would realise a European competition would top their mickey mouse cup. Lets not forget this is a cup where some EPL sides play their third team they have squads that strong.

And I guess captaining your country means fuck all aswell then Barry? Fair enough the exit wasn't pretty but you didn't do yourself any favours there did you.

[blueben_d 40]

It is a bigger achievement. For a shity team like brum to win anything is incredible.

We are expected to progress in Europe and dominate domestically. If we'd won UEFA then fair enough. 2nd is nothing and all that.

Ask him if he'd swap it for all his success at rangers and he'll tell you to get fucked.

[disgruntled_bear 157]

Did anybody really expect him to say 'Aye, winning this cup was alright like but it's naw as good as what I done at Rangers.'

Winning a cup with Birmingham is more of an achievement than winning something at Rangers when you're expected to win every year anyway.

I'm just disappointed he said the same for the UEFA Cup run.

Nobody is saying that, he could have showed respect by saying... I've been lucky to have been in many finals in my career and been on the winning side, in more than one occasion. This has to be right at the top... Because it's at the tail end of my career, and I'm grateful to have managed to win a trophy in England especially at Wembley. As it has always been a goal of mine.

[MartinGers93 388]

Did anybody really expect him to say 'Aye, winning this cup was alright like but it's naw as good as what I done at Rangers.'

Winning a cup with Birmingham is more of an achievement than winning something at Rangers when you're expected to win every year anyway.

I'm just disappointed he said the same for the UEFA Cup run.

[ForeverBlue_Since91 2,895]

He has also said in the past that the Birmingham dressing room has more spirit than any Rangers team he's played in.

[1st_Jan_1994 4,868]

That's yer beloved Barry Ferguson for you.

[tommy2212 151]

Just sums up Barry Ferguson, a person that has a distinct lack of respect and dignity.

How one cup ''the diddy cup'' in england beats all his achievements with Rangers, all those special games ie away to PSG. Its beyond belief

[Clemdog 39,389]

He didn't have to mention Rangers at all, he could have just said how much of a great achievement it was, no comparison was needed.

You can defend what Mcleish said, but this is a load of bollocks

Disrespectful, imo.

[Muff 245]

I don't pay much attention to what Barry Ferguson has to say these days, or what he's come out with in the last 3-4 years.

I try to remember the real Barry Ferguson; June 1998 - June 2003.

[Adoniram 1,919]

Did anybody really expect him to say 'Aye, winning this cup was alright like but it's naw as good as what I done at Rangers.'

Winning a cup with Birmingham is more of an achievement than winning something at Rangers when you're expected to win every year anyway.

I'm just disappointed he said the same for the UEFA Cup run.

Yes i would...he isn't being disrespectful either just honest.

Winning the Carling Cup is a fantastic achievement and is one of the proudest moments in my career....that's all he had to say.

Sums up Ferguson to a tee though.