BARRY'S BIG OCCASION!

Win would rank alongside career highs for manager

- By Scott McDermott

BARRY FERGUSON lifted 15 trophies at Rangers and captained them in the 2008 UEFA Cup final.

When the former midfielder hung up his boots a decade ago, he probably thought that would be as good as it got.

But he might just be able to rekindle those feelings again in Bilbao tonight.

Because if Ferguson leaves the Estadio San Mames after leading Gers to a Europa League semi-final, he says it would compare to anything he achieved as a player.

That’s how much this quarter-final second-leg in Spain means to him.

On the eve of a mouth-watering clash with the Basque side, the interim manager said:

“Where would it rank?

“It’s a good question but obviously it would be right up there for me.

“Six weeks ago I couldn’t have imagined being in this position, on the sidelines as manager of Glasgow Rangers.

“So it would rank right up there with what I’ve done in football as a player, there’s no doubt in my mind about that.

“But it’s not about me. It’s about my group of players showing their qualities at the highest level.

“This game is high level for us and I'm confident they'll show it.