Rangers' Ferguson the Answer for Birmingham City

Former Rangers and Scotland Captain Barry Ferguson MBE is expected to end his long association with the Glasgow giants this week after a transfer fee was agreed with English Premier League new boys Birmingham City.

The deal, believed to be in the region of £1.5 million, is a snip when one adds into the deal the vast experience of the 31-year-old midfielder not only in Scotland, but in Europe and at the international level. And don’t forget he has of course, played in England’s top flight before.

Unhappy Endings

It has not been the final year at Ibrox he would have wished for, after injury and then the infamous "boozegate" scandal (where he was caught drinking while on international duty with Scotland before making rude gestures, while on the bench at home to Iceland and was banned for life by the Scottish FA) took its toll on his reputation and popularity with the fans.

In truth, many fans had never forgiven the 45 time capped Scot for leaving the club in a £7.5 million deal to Blackburn Rovers in 2003 at the peak of his powers. A broken knee cap put pay to his ambitions in England and despite being named Blackburn Captain, he was back in Glasgow with the Rangers less than two years later in a cut price deal.

I always think it was ridiculous of some sections of the Rangers support for vilifying a true blue because he had the ambition to try something new. So the club he left for was certainly smaller than the Rangers, but in all certainty, the stage he went to was far greater.  

In my opinion he should be remembered as a great, a true Rangers' man, who always gave his best in the light blue jersey and all too often when on pain killing injections.

But What of Today?

Ferguson still has plenty to offer Birmingham on and off the pitch despite his previous injury worries and could be invaluable in the Blues' bid for survival next season. His confidence, leadership skills and ability to hold onto the ball will serve his new employers very well next season.

He was widely criticised by Rangers fans last season for his lack of cutting edge after returning from injury, with his supposed constant sideways passing damaging his sides performances, but this ability to hold onto the ball will be crucial for his new side next season.

There is no doubt Birmingham has players capable of winning matches, but before you can win matches, you need the ball and no one keeps the ball better than the former Rangers Captain.

Five Scottish League titles, five Scottish Cups, and five League Cup medals are certainly a sign of a successful career. Adding this to his international experience and the fact he guided the Rangers to a European Final, tells you a lot about the man. He had realized his dream at the age of 23 when he captained his beloved Rangers to a treble and picked up every individual accolade available to him.

His move south reunites Ferguson with Alex McLeish who coached him at Rangers and of course with Scotland. Who could resist mentioning their very famous 1-0 win over France in Paris? This happened thanks not only to Alex and Barry, but to another Birmingham and former Premier League star James McFadden.

I look forward to watching the midfielder in a league he has always been gifted enough to star in, next season and believe Barry Ferguson is just what Birmingham City need. He is a winner, a man who never gives up and who on his day can go toe to toe with the best the world has to offer.

Don’t believe me? Just ask the French...