I was in the chippy when it hit me... I was the manager of Rangers. And I'd just got one over on Jose Mourinho

Barry on living his dream at Ibrox

- BARRY FERGUSON

LET me start by saying thank you.

Thanks to the players for all their hard work. Thanks to the board for giving me the opportunity to live my dream and for giving me their backing. Thanks to the staff who did all that they could to help myself and my backroom team.

But, most of all, thank you to the supporters for being there with us, every step of the way. And maybe reminding me of why I was one of them in the first place. I'm genuinely grateful for everything.

Honestly? The experience and the backing we were given during our time in charge was almost overwhelming. Let's just say, I loved every single moment of the journey even though it didn't last all that long and despite the odd bump along the way.

The fact is it was an absolute privilege to be the manager of Rangers for three months of my life and I'll take the memories to my grave. I'm humble enough to realise not many people will ever get to stand on the sidelines and live out that same dream.

But now I get to go back to being what I have always been, since I first learned to walk and talk as a little nipper - and that’s a Rangers supporter.

Since the end of last season I haven't spoken much about the experience. I guess I needed time to get away, lie on a sun lounger with my family around me and process what was, for a while, a life changing set of circumstances.