Ferguson teams up with ex-Ibrox striker Mitchell

FORMER Rangers midfielder Ian Ferguson has quit as coach of North Queensland Fury to join Perth Glory as assistant to Dave Mitchell, another former Ibrox player.

Ferguson helped the Fury to a credible seventh place in their inaugural A-League campaign last term despite facing a revolt from marquee signing Robbie Fowler, who was unhappy at being left on the bench.

But when Football Federation Australia took over the administration of the club after founding chairman Don Matheson pulled out last week, Ferguson was asked to re-apply for the job.

"He's a good professional and he's got good contacts," said Mitchell, who spent two years with Rangers in the mid 1980s but had departed by the time Ferguson arrived at Ibrox. "He was a champion over there, a cult hero at Rangers. Ian is a big name in Scottish football who is very passionate and it's great to have him on board."

Ferguson scored 46 goals in 350 games for Rangers and clinched ten Scottish league titles. He also won four Scottish Cups and five League Cups and made nine appearances for Scotland.

As an assistant to Lawrie McKinna, Ferguson helped the Central Coast Mariners to a Premiership title in 2008 and two A-League Grand Finals in 2006 and 2008.

In September 2008, he was confirmed as the new manager at North Queensland, where he was assisted by Stewart Petrie, the former Forfar, Dunfermline and Ross County player.

"I'm delighted to be heading west," said Ferguson. "I've known Dave Mitchell for a while and it was a great honour when he asked me to be part of his team."