Despite the scoreline going against his team on Sunday, Brisbane Strikers Assistant Coach Kenny Armstrong took away one positive from his side’s visit to Townsville – meeting Rangers Hall of Famer and Northern Fury Director of Coaching Ian Ferguson.

Armstong, a native Glaswegian and confirmed Glasgow Rangers fan, packed a replica Rangers shirt and copy of Lindsay Herron’s book ‘The Official Rangers Hall of Fame’ in the hope of getting them signed by the former Rangers great.

Ferguson, who played over 300 games for the famous Scottish club and was an ever present selection in the side that won nine consecutive Scottish League titles from 1989 to 1997, was more than happy to oblige.

Armstrong explained he was honoured to indulge his Rangers passion with a genuine great

“I just explained to him that he was part of one of my favourite Rangers teams in the era he played in”, Armstrong said this week.

“He was extremely friendly and when I showed him the book I had, he hadn’t seen it before and he was flattered he was actually in it.”

“He was most accommodating and only too willing to sign a couple of things for me”.

Armstrong pointed out that coaches aren’t immune from idolizing players from their favourite clubs and that it took away some of the pain of Strikers four goal defeat.

“I was extremely disappointed with the result up there, but I have to say it was exciting for me to meet someone I have admired, with me being a lifelong Rangers supporter and him being one of the stars of the modern era”, Armstrong said. 

“It was a highlight for me, and you can’t take that away from me.  People find it strange that one of my heroes is actually a guy younger than me, but there it is.

“We (football coaches) all have idols and teams that we support and things like that, and we are football fans as well as participants and coaches.”

“Maybe some look at people as one-dimensional within the sport, but we’re influenced by certain times and obviously we are fans of the game as well”.

 

Words & Image: Brisbane Strikers FC