Home Sport Football Caley Thistle
Caley Thistle
Caley Thistle boss Duncan Ferguson focused for return to ‘title favourites’ Dundee United
The Inverness manager left Tannadice in 1993 to become Britain’s most expensive footballer at the time by joining Rangers.
Caley Thistle manager Duncan Ferguson. Image: SNS Group
Caley Thistle manager Duncan Ferguson. Image: SNS Group
Thirty years after leaving Dundee United as a record-breaking £4million player to join Rangers, Duncan Ferguson will return to Tannadice on Saturday as the Inverness manager.
And Ferguson believes his team, who are looking to push away from the lower end of the Championship, will be taking on opponents who will win the title.
It’s no wonder. Jim Goodwin’s side’s 11 matches to date have resulted in eight wins and three draws.
In their last three league outings, they crushed Partick Thistle 5-0, Arbroath 6-0 and defeated Airdrie 2-0.
As a hot-shot talent under the late legendary Jim McLean, the teenager rose to stardom with 35 goals in 88 games leading to his big money switch to Ibrox.
Duncan Ferguson in action for Dundee United against Falkirk in 1992.
The transfer fee of £4million set a new British record in 1993 and remains the highest sale recorded for a player leaving United.
His time at Ibrox was followed by spells at Everton, Newcastle United and back at Everton.
His seven caps for Scotland would have been countless more had he not opted to withdraw from potential selection after the SFA hit him with a 12-game ban following being jailed for 44 days after being found guilty in a court of law for headbutting Raith Rovers’ John McStay while playing for Rangers in 1995.
Ferguson eyes victory at Tannadice
United is where it all began and there’s plenty of things that have happened for Ferguson – and United – over the past three decades.
He said: “It was a long time ago and it is amazing where the time goes.
“I am looking forward to it. I have a lot of fond memories of Dundee United.
“It is a great club, it’s where I broke through. It’s great to go back there.
“I do have fond memories – it’s a fantastic club.
“They had great success under Jim McLean. They won the league in 1983.
“I went to see some games there at the back end of last season. I saw one or two of the boys knocking around.
“We’ve actually organised a wee bit of food on Saturday night after the game, so I might bump into one or two of them.
“It will be great to go back – but even better if we get a result.”
Inverness manager Duncan Ferguson. Image: SNS Group
Ferguson proud of his United efforts
When asked to consider those special breakthrough years at Tannadice, he said: “All I seem to remember is I did very well at Dundee United.
“I was a young guy breaking into the team and became the number one striker there.
“They got a lot of money for me, so in that respect I am proud of what I achieved there.”
His first senior game in United colours came in November 1990 against the Scottish club he moved on to, albeit for just one season before joining Everton initially on loan.
He added: “My debut (for Dundee United) was at Rangers, who were undefeated in two years. I came on as a sub and I think we beat them 2-1.”
United ‘are best team in the league’
Since Ferguson replaced Billy Dodds in the Inverness hot-seat in late September, he’s taken seven points from nine in his three games in charge, most recently the 1-0 win against Airdrie on Saturday.
ICT are battling to kick clear of danger and move closer to mid-table, while unbeaten United look to only have Raith Rovers as a potential title rival.
The former Tangerines star, who described Jim McLean as “a great man and a great coach” is in no doubt that his old club are destined for an instant ticket back to the Premiership.
He said: “Dundee United will win the league in my opinion – they are the best team in the leagu
Leave a Reply