Duncan Ferguson back in Scottish football as former Rangers star returns after exile of almost 30 years
DUNCAN Ferguson is back in Scottish football - some 30 years on from his controversial departure.
It's a sensational return to the Scottish game for the former Dundee Utd, Rangers, Newcastle and Everton man - who has been appointed manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The striker left the Ibrox men for Everton in October 1994 after a headbutt on Raith Rovers' John McStay which led to a three-month prison sentence and a 12-game SFA ban.
He went onto become a folk hero for both the Goodison Park side and Newcastle United.
But he made only seven caps for his country and has never returned to Scottish club football - until now.
He did his coaching badges with the SFA, although was always thought to be unhappy with how they dealt with his disciplinary issues.
That's because Inverness have chosen him as the man to take over from Billy Dodds and attempt to move them off the foot of the Championship table - and have handed him a 3-year deal.
They wrote in a statement: "The club is delighted to announce the appointment of Duncan Ferguson as the new Manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club.
"The Everton legend joins us on a 3-year deal following an extensive recruitment process which involved some truly excellent candidates.
"Duncan has worked alongside some of the most respected and outstanding football coaches in the world in recent seasons and we are proud to have him join ICTFC as our new Manager.
Most read in Football
"His professionalism, commitment and dynamic leadership skills shone through in our discussions, making him the stand out candidate.
"Everyone at the club is looking forward to supporting Duncan as the hard work starts now and we hope every Caley Jag will now get right behind him and the team in what we are sure will be a thrilling journey."
Ferguson earned his coaching reputation as a long-term assistant at Everton - serving as caretaker boss on a couple of occasions for the club.
Assistant manager role under first Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez, Ferguson found his maiden stint as a manager in his own right at Forest Green Rovers challenging.
He won just one of his 18 matches in charge, being unable to prevent them from relegation from League One.
He has been out of work since leaving the club on July 4.
But he's back in the game today, having been appointed to the top job at Caley Thistle with other names in the frame having been Morton boss Dougie Imrie and Celtic hero Scott Brown.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page