Duncan Ferguson - Everton Legend
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The Big Dunc Story...Rangers
Walter Smith was the man responsible for bringing Ferguson to Rangers in 1993. Smith had begun his managerial career at Dundee United under Jim McLean, just as Ferguson had begun his professional playing career for the same man. While Smith had left Dundee United to assist Graeme Souness at Rangers, he eventually took over the managerial role in 1991. The paths of Ferguson and Smith were to cross numerous times from this point.
Ferguson made little impact at Rangers, coupling indifferent displays and persistent injury woes, he played few games and scored fewer goals. Luck was also not on Ferguson's side: In his first six games Ferguson hit the post three times and saw a goal against Partick Thistle F.C. incorrectly disallowed. He was also played out of position by Smith, often as a left winger and on one occasion even as a left back in a match against Levski Sofia .
In contrast, season 1994–95 saw Ferguson start in fine form. Gary Pallister and David May of Manchester United F.C. endured a torrid time in a pre–season victory playing against Ferguson and this was followed by a last–minute winner against Motherwell F.C. , brought about by a Brian Laudrup assist. Four days later Ferguson scored a hat–trick in a 6–1 win over Arbroath . The next game saw Ferguson pressure a Partick Thistle player into scoring an own goal, leading to a 2–0 win for Rangers.
A Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens FC left Rangers 2–0 down after the first leg. Smith elected to gamble on a partnership of Ferguson and Mark Hateley up front, in an effort to overcome the deficit. The two players were poorly suited to playing along side each other; they often ended up competing for the same ball. Despite Ferguson having outscored Hateley in the first five games of the season, Smith was in need of a scapegoat and levied the burden on Ferguson.
The most significant moment of Ferguson's time with Rangers came on the pitch, but had little to do with football. It was during 1994 that his on–field altercation with John McStay of Raith Rovers led to Ferguson's incarceration within Barlinnie prison.