This week in part 5 of 9 I take a look at Ian Ferguson.
I’m looking at players that from each of the 9-in-a-row seasons, that may not have got the recognition they deserve.
Season 1992/93
This has gone down as the greatest season in recent times for Rangers, from winning the fifth treble in the club’s history and coming within a game of the inaugural Champions League final.
Transfer business was fairly quiet that summer, with only two all too familiar faces returning: Trevor Steven from Marseille and Dave McPherson from Hearts.
This undoubtedly was the hardest season to pick out a player from, with the club going a quite staggering 44 matches unbeaten in all competitions. Every player played their part. The player I have chosen, actually, was getting some stick going into this season, and had to answer questions about his form and fitness.
Ian Ferguson
Appearances — 43
Goals — 5
How best to describe Ian Ferguson? In his younger days, I think it would be fair to say he was a box to box midfielder, popping up with a few important goals; a hard man who loved to go into battle in the centre of the park (or in the player’s lounge: just ask Do Canio). By season 92/93, a combination of injuries and illnesses had taken its toll on him, with many fans suggesting it was time to move on.
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Born in shadows of Parkhead, Ferguson started his career at Clyde before sealing a move to St Mirren, singing for the Paisley side, ironically, in the blue room at Ibrox after a Scotland youth game. But it was at the Saints that Ferguson really made a name for himself. Ferguson’s habit of scoring important goals was starting to catch the eye, as well as his all round game, scoring goals in 1-0 wins over Falkirk and Aberdeen in the league and in every round of the Scottish Cup bar one, including an extra time winner to seal the Cup over Dundee Utd at Hampden.
Nine months later and Souness made his move bringing the midfielder to Ibrox, for a still St Mirren record of £850,000. Ferguson was to play a key role under Souness, again showing his goal scoring ability, with goals against Celtic and, notably, Aberdeen in the 1988 league cup final.
Injures then started to take effect and many questioned whether the midfielder could recapture the form of old. It was season 92/93 that Ferguson would once again show his worth.
Ferguson played centre midfield with Stuart McCall for the majority of the campaign. Together the tough tackling, no nonsense duo kept it simple and provided the team with energy and grit, helping shut down attacking threats. Although his new, deeper role didn’t have as many goals, he scored the crucial winner away to CSKA in the Champions League group stages.
Ferguson would play under 3 Rangers managers and win a record 10 titles, including being part of the Advocaat treble winning side of 1999; a sheer testament to how he looked after himself on and off the park. I only wish we had the likes of him now in the centre of the park.
Please, as always, let me know your thoughts.
Steven Harrigan
@steven_harrigan
@rangersnewsuk