Stars of the noughties: No 5, Barry Ferguson

Published on 11/12/2012 00:00

FOLLOWING in the footsteps of his older brother Derek, who had played for Rangers, “Bazza” burst on to the scene in the late nineties during Walter Smith’s first spell in charge at Ibrox and then went on to establish himself as one of Scotland’s top midfielders of the noughties.

During two spells with Rangers, where he was club captain, he won five league titles and ten domestic cups. He led the club to a domestic treble in 2003, scoring 18 goals from midfield and earned a lucrative move to Blackburn Rovers.

Ferguson, however, missed the buzz of playing for the club he supported, so returned to Ibrox after just over a year down south. The highlight of his second spell at Rangers was leading them to the 2008 Uefa Cup final in Manchester.

He also captained Scotland, winning 45 caps before the Boozegate episode led to an ignominious end to his international career in 2009. Now 34, he is on loan at Fleetwood from Blackpool.