Attempts to blockmove sticks in craw for Ferguson
THEY say time is a healer but Ian Ferguson is still baffled by the incredible lengths the St Mirren board went to in an attempt to prevent him signing for Rangers.
The Paisley directors tried to force a transfer to England and at one stage Ferguson was en route to meet his namesake Alex at Old Trafford who wanted to take him to Manchester United.
The then 20-year-old midfielder, who had won the Scottish Cup for St Mirren eight months earlier, demanded the car ferrying him turn around and he finally realised his dream when, 30 years ago today, he walked into Ibrox to become one of the most decorated players in Scottish football history.
Reflecting on that time from his home in Australia, Ferguson said: “There is no doubt St Mirren made it very difficult for me 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 had brought in England’s captain and goalkeeper in Terry Butcher and Chris Woods and it really was a game-changer.
“Suddenly Souness started to get the best out of the talented Scottish boys – Ally McCoist, Ian Durrant, Derek Ferguson and Davie Cooper – and there was massive momentum building.
“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 if affected me. How was I supposed to block it out of my mind? It was impossible.
“St Mirren were trying to push me to move to an English club because they didn’t want to sell to Rangers.
“It actually got to the stage where I was so sick and fed up with it all that I agreed to talk to one of t hem – 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.
“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 to make it happen.”
Ferguson is one of only three players to have all nine medals from the Championship-winning run – McCoist and Richard Gough are the others – and in all he won 18 major honours at Rangers.
He has been in Australia for 15 years, where he has been a successful player and coach working for Central Coast Mariners, North Queensland Fury, Perth Glory and latterly Northern Fury.
Having turned 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 business in Townsville, Queensland.
However, he remains com- pletely 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 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 he’s getting decent results too.
“If he can win the Cup and finish second he will deserve the job on a full-time basis.”