K.A.I 36,183 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Enjoyed reading that. Probably my second ever favourite Rangers player after Gascoigne. It's about how St Mirren didn't want to sell him to a rival club (Rangers) and he was half-way down the motorway for signing talks with Man United and got the driver to stop and turnback because the only team he wanted to join was Rangers. I know not all of you will agree with his opinion on Murty at the end but that's no big deal. Copy and pasted so that left wing rhag the Record doesn't get the hits. Rangers legend Ian Ferguson lifts lid on how he forced move from St Mirren as they tried to sell him to Manchester United The midfielder now lives in Australia but the memories of February 15 1988 are still fresh in his mind. 4SHARES By Lindsay Herron 06:00, 15 FEB 2018 SPORT Ian Ferguson celebrates winning with Rangers (Image: Reuters) 4SHARES Get Daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Ian Ferguson will be stacking the shelves and checking the day’s takings at the family convenience store in Queensland, Australia today – but his thoughts will be on 30 years ago when he walked through the front door at Ibrox. It was on February 15, 1988 that Scotland’s hottest prospect finally got the move to his boyhood heroes after an acrimonious battle with St Mirren who tried to force him into a transfer to England. Indeed, the 20-year-old midfielder was on the way to Old Trafford for talks with Alex Ferguson when he demanded that the car was turned around. Ex-Rangers star Ian Ferguson (Image: SNS) He was determined to force through a move to Rangers and the Love Street board, led by Yule Craig, finally accepted an £850,000 bid that would rise to £1million for the player who had won them the Scottish Cup only eight months earlier. Ferguson went on to win an incredible 18 major honours at Ibrox becoming a nine-in-a-row legend. He said: “There is no doubt St Mirren made it very difficult for me at that time and that was the most frustrating thing. I knew that Rangers were really keen on me and I wanted to go there. “Graeme Souness had revolutionised the club and I wanted to be part of his plans. He’d brought in England’s captain and goalkeeper in Terry Butcher and Chris Woods and it really was a game-changer. It was unprecedented and it brought Rangers back to life again. Rangers team celebrate with the Premier League trophy in 1987 Back row (l to r): Jimmy Phillips, Billy Kirkwood, Graham Roberts, Ian Durrant, Davie Cooper, Ally McCoist, Graeme Souness (manager), Walter Smith (asst manager), Peter McCloy (coach), Phil Boersma (trainer) Front row (l to r): Stuart Munro, Dave McPherson, Terry Butcher, Jimmy Nicholl, Chris Woods, George Soutar (kit man), Robert Fleck, Derek Ferguson “Suddenly Souness started to get the best out of the talented Scottish boys that were already there – Ally McCoist, Ian Durrant, Derek Ferguson and Davie Cooper – and there was massive momentum building. “He knew the market in England and, of course, his stature in the game was so high. There’s no doubt that played a big part in getting the likes of Butcher and Woods there. “It was the same with Ray Wilkins and Trevor Francis – guys he knew well form England and Italy. “Of course, the fact that English clubs were banned from Europe at the time made a big difference. Rangers were a very attractive proposition for guys in England. “It was different for me. I was a lifelong fan and I would have signed for Rangers in any circumstances, really. But, of course, it was an even more exciting prospect given what was happening at Ibrox. Ferguson celebrates a win for Rangers “It was an open secret that Rangers wanted me and I became more and more annoyed when the board at Love Street wouldn’t let me go. “I don’t think there is any doubt that it affected me. How was I supposed to block it out of my mind? It was impossible. “In fairness the management team were good with me. Alex Smith and Jimmy Bone treated me very well and tried to keep my spirits up. But my performance levels dipped as the saga dragged on. “St Mirren were trying to push me to move to an English club as there were a number of teams in the market because they didn’t want to sell to Rangers. “It actually got the stage where I was so sick and fed up with it all that I agreed to talk to one of them – Manchester United. “Of course, Alex Ferguson had just taken over at Old Trafford the previous season and he was looking to rebuild what was a massive club. Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to take Ian to Old Trafford “I was flattered that he was interested. Reluctantly, I got in a car that was going to take me for talks. However, we were not even halfway there when I told the driver to stop and turn around. “I couldn’t go through with it. My heart was set on Rangers and I was determined that I was going to make it happen.” Ferguson is one of only three players to have all nine medals from the fantastic Championship-winning run – McCoist and Richard Gough are the others – and he added a 10th under Dick Advocaat in 1998/99. He’s been in Australia for 15 years, having moved there after two seasons under Jimmy Calderwood at Dunfermline, where he has been a successful player and coach working for Central Coast Mariners, North Queensland Fury, Perth Glory and latterly Northern Fury. Since 2012, he built up Fury almost from scratch into a strong National Premier League Queensland side but left last year after becoming disillusioned with the direction they were going in. Ferguson is delighted with Murty (Image: SNS Group) Having tuned 50 this year and having been in the game since signing for Clyde as a kid, he’s taking a well-earned break and helping his wife Suzanne run their convenience store business in Townsville. However, he remains completely in tune with what’s happening at Ibrox and is backing Graeme Murty. He said: “Things changed at the club where I was working so I felt It was time to get out. “I’ve been non-stop in football, really for 35 years so I’m really enjoying the break and I’m not sure what my next move is. I still watch the Rangers games though. I’ll always be a supporter. “I was delighted that Graeme Murty got the job until the end of the season because it was the right thing to do. “It has stabilised the situation and he’s made good signings and getting decent results too. If he can win the Cup and finish second he will deserve the job on a full-time basis.” Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza1212 1,212 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 What price a Fergie in our midfield nowadays. Would absolutely boss this league. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougie76 15,359 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Love the man. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smell the hotdog 4,016 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Very rare commodity these days the type of guy Ian Ferguson is. Of course Man Utd weren't what they are now but I love that story. Compare it to the likes of your Scott Allans of the world and you see the true measure of the two. Legend get's thrown about too much imo but it's fitting of Fergie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al 55 9,275 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Real legend...should take a moment to consider for about 18 months he was the fans whipping boy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
superallysbears 7,661 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Wonder if he's ever been asked if he was interested in managing us, don't think I've ever heard his name mentioned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eskbankloyal 19,446 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Fergie at training with his Rangers chain. Fucking love him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddistonKnight 1,567 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Met him at a Q&A. Told it like it is. Was quite impressive all told. Unlike the other guy who was there..... And some player back in the day. Great as a more defensive midfielder, but I always wondered how he would have turned out if he had remained as a more attacking player. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
They Gnu 11,553 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 If only he had got hold of DiFannio Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coplandbear11 1,087 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Epitomy of a Rangers Legend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammer time 653 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 did what every single one of us would love to have done by living the dream for 10 years. Don't know if it's true or not but heard that he wouldn't enter the trophy room until he had won the treble which we did in 92-93 5 years after he signed Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
magic8ball 27,901 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 1 hour ago, Smell the hotdog said: Very rare commodity these days the type of guy Ian Ferguson is. Of course Man Utd weren't what they are now but I love that story. Compare it to the likes of your Scott Allans of the world and you see the true measure of the two. Legend get's thrown about too much imo but it's fitting of Fergie. Scott Allan won't have a career .Ian Ferguson did.and what a career that was Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
magic8ball 27,901 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 1 hour ago, Big Al II said: Real legend...should take a moment to consider for about 18 months he was the fans whipping boy. from memory he was never a fans favourite but never let the team down there were so many more popular players in his time at the club woods ,goram butcher roberts gough Steven mcoist hately laudrup Gascoigne to name a few Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moody Blue Legend 61,591 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Guy was a top player. Took no shit from anyone. Watched his DVD again a couple of months back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlCapone 7,678 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 The most underrated player at Ibrox I have ever known, the real Fergie Legend who bled blue. Other Fergie legends are just pale imitations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Soprano 13,964 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 10 minutes ago, Moody Blue Legend said: Guy was a top player. Took no shit from anyone. Watched his DVD again a couple of months back. "Really had a happy childhood here and really enjoyed it, apart fae that." Pointing to the piggery Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
minstral 5,375 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 That is what you call a real Rangers man who loved our club, and would have crawled over broken glass to play for our club. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyscott1963 18,415 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 3 hours ago, K.A.I said: his thoughts will be on 30 years ago when he walked through the front door at Ibrox. It was on February 15, 1988 that Scotland’s hottest prospect finally got the move to his boyhood heroes after an acrimonious battle with St Mirren who tried to force him into a transfer to England. Got goosebumps reading that description of how Ian Ferguson signed for his boyhood heros. NOW!!!...that is what you call a medal collection. Cheers for the copy and paste K.A.I. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMotor 2,208 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Probably my favourite ever Ranger. All the attributes you could want in a midfielder and the best attitude ever. I've said it on here before, but if there was ever one man that I would want watching my back, in any circumstance, it would be Ian Ferguson. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumbGER 24,518 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Only way we will ever get another Fergie is if we continue to snap up the best young hungry players, who are bears, from other Scottish teams or bring through our own. Letting players go south to give their best years then coming back up here near the end of their careers is not the best strategy. All imo of course. Spotting the right players and having the proper management team to nurture them is vitally important. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOAT 30,449 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Imagine Fergie against brown? I’d have loved to have seen that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammer time 653 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 2 minutes ago, GOAT said: Imagine Fergie against brown? I’d have loved to have seen that. Only ever going to be one winner in that contest ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theweebluenose 4,332 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Nowadays young players are away at the first sniff of English Football regardless of the stature of the Club, a true Ger is Fergie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theweebluenose 4,332 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 6 minutes ago, GOAT said: Imagine Fergie against brown? I’d have loved to have seen that. Both as a Footballer and "Hardman" Brown wouldn't get close. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoody 103 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Brilliant player with an albertz-esque shot, one of my favourites. He's the benchmark for a Rangers legend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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