Derek Ferguson

Club

Ferguson joined his first senior club, Rangers, from Gartcosh United in 1982. He enjoyed an early experience of first-team involvement when picked to play in Tom Forsyth's testimonial match in 1983, aged only 15. He made his competitive debut in the 1983–84 season and within a year became a first team regular at Ibrox. However, over the next couple of seasons Ferguson gradually fell out of favour at Rangers, a tempestuous relationship with manager Graeme Souness preventing him from developing as expected. In 1989–90 he was loaned to Dundee and it became clear his future was not to be at Ibrox.

In August 1990, Heart of Midlothian spent a then club record £750,000 to take Ferguson to Tynecastle, where he became a mainstay in the Hearts team over the next three seasons. His good performances earned him a move to Sunderland, with manager Terry Butcher signing him in a part-exchange deal which saw John Colquhoun return to Hearts. After two seasons on Wearside, Ferguson moved back to Scotland when Falkirk paid Sunderland £250,000 for his services in 1995. He spent three years with the Bairns before spending a single season (1998–99) with Dunfermline Athletic and a month with Partick Thistle. Ferguson next had a short spell in Australian soccer with Adelaide Force before returning to Scotland to play for a succession of lower league clubs, namely Ross County, Clydebank (scoring once against future club Hamilton), Alloa Athletic, Hamilton Academical and most recently Raith Rovers. Ferguson also had a short spell in the 1999–00 season with Portadown in the Irish League. He played six games and scored one goal.

International

His early performances and potential ensured he was fast-tracked into the Scottish international squad in 1988. Ferguson gained two caps during this period, in matches against Malta and Colombia.

Managerial career

While at Clydebank he was briefly appointed player-manager, while he has also served as a coach at Albion Rovers before becoming Stranraer's assistant manager as part of a new management team at Stair Park with Gerry Britton. When Britton left his post as manager for the vacant assistant manager role at Partick Thistle, Ferguson was put in place as caretaker manager before being handed a contract as manager until the end of the 2008–09 season. Although having a bright start as manager, relations between the club and Ferguson had become strained due to Stranraer's financial difficulties and the club's on-field performances, which led to him leaving the club after an 8–2 home defeat to Stirling Albion. After leaving Stranraer he had a short spell as manager of junior outfit Glenafton Athletic. On 28 October 2010, Ferguson was named as assistant manager of Dumbarton, however it was announced on 3 November 2010 that he will be unable to fill that role due to media commitments.

Media career

Since leaving Glenafton Athletic, Ferguson has appeared regularly for BBC Radio Scotland as a football pundit. His work with BBC Scotland was cited as his reason for not accepting the role of assistant manager at Dumbarton.

Personal life

Ferguson is the elder brother of Barry Ferguson, who also played for Rangers and Scotland. His autobiography, Big Brother, written with Bill Leckie, was published in 2006.

Honours