02-05-2025
‘The place fell deadly silent' – ex-Rangers star Duncan Ferguson opens up on ‘terrifying' first day in Barlinnie jail
FORMER Rangers star Duncan Ferguson has vividly recalled how it felt to enter Barlinnie for the first time.
The former Ibrox hero spent a total of 44 days in the tough Glasgow prison after headbutting Raith Rovers defender John McStay during a game while he was on probation.
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A general view of HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow
Credit: PA
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Duncan Ferguson during his time
Credit: Ken MacPherson - Commissioned by The Sun Glasgow
The big striker went on to grace Everton and Newcastle with distinction, even if the fallout from the affair stopped him going on to become a Scotland hero.
And now Ferguson, last seen in the Scottish game as manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, has lifted the lid on the affair in his new autobiography, Big Dunc.
He told the Daily Mirror: "I was a young man, I was fearless, I didn't care.
"I had this approach that I had to get in there and get it done but it was obviously terrifying.
"They knew I was coming. I was in D Hall and when I walked in there for the first time, the place fell deadly silent.
"People were all on the landings. It was like a coliseum, all eyes were on me. It was not an easy experience."
Ferguson, who insists he's "not the big hard case everyone makes me out to be", also lifted the lid on the struggles with alcohol which dogged him before he made the decision to give up drinking some 15 years ago.
He said: "When I retired from playing and I was still drinking, I got myself in a wee bit of trouble.
"I had stopped playing football but the violence was still there off the field. I knew then that I had to stop.
"I moved to Majorca and it was easy to drink every day. And, before you know it, you ARE drinking every day.
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"But one day, I woke up and knew I had to stop - and did. I have not touched a drop since."
Ferguson admits he looks back and winces at some of the 'hard man' stuff - including shunning David Beckham when he offered to shake his hand following a match.
Ferguson said: "I think Manchester United had just won the league at Everton - or just a crucial game there - and David Beckham shouted over to me.
"He said 'Hey Dunc', and was wanting to shake my hand, putting his hand out.
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Rangers striker Duncan Ferguson headbutts John McStay
Credit: SNS
"I turned round and said, 'F*** off'. I then turned my back as if to say, 'Why would I want to shake your hand?'
"It was just daft. It was David Beckham, a legend of the Premier League, a world-class footballer, won everything, incredible player - and there was me blanking him.
"As the years go on, you just think, 'What a tw*t I was'! I should have been ripping the shirt off his back and keeping it as a memory for my kids."
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