Derek Ferguson (born 31 July 1967, in Castlemilk, Glasgow) is a former Scottish footballer and a former manager of Stranraer. A creative midfielder best remembered for his time with Rangers and Heart of Midlothian, he made two appearances for the Scottish national side. He is the elder brother of current Birmingham City player Barry Ferguson.^[1] His autobiography, Big Brother, written with Bill Leckie, was published in 2006.

[edit] Club career

[edit] Rangers

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.^[1] 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.^[1] In 1989/90 he was loaned to Dundee and it became clear his future was not to be at Ibrox.

[edit] Hearts

In August 1990, Heart of Midlothian splashed out a then record £750,000 to take him 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, manager Terry Butcher signing him in a part exchange deal which saw John Colquhoun return to Hearts.

[edit] Later playing career

After two seasons on Wearside, Ferguson moved back to Scotland when Falkirk paid Sunderland £250,000 for his services in 1995. He spent 3 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, Alloa Athletic, Hamilton Academical and most recently Raith Rovers. He also had a short spell in the 1999/2000 Season with Portadown FC in the Irish League. Played 6 Games and scored 1 Goal.

[edit] International career

His early performances and potential ensured he was fast-tracked into the Scottish International squad and in the summer of 1988, aged only 20, he gained his first (and only) 2 caps against Malta and Colombia.

[edit] Mangerial career

While at Clydebank he was briefly appointed player-manager, ^[1] while he has also served as a coach at Albion Rovers^[2] 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, Derek 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 Derek 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.^[3] . After leaving Stranraer he was appointed manager of junior outfit Glenafton.

[edit] Honours

With Rangers:

• Scottish League championships (3):
  • 1987, 1989, 1990

• League Cup (4):
  • 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Derek Ferguson career stats at Soccerbase
• Derek Ferguson profile at scottishfa.co.uk
• Profile at sporting-heroes.net
• Hearts appearances and images at londonhearts.com