Football Update

Dunfermline yesterday highlighted their ambition to return to the Premier League with the double signing of Ian Ferguson from Rangers and Belgian keeper Kris Mampaey. The two new recruits were paraded at East End Park and will go straight into the squad for Saturday's match with Falkirk.

The signings - particularly that of Ferguson - will be viewed as a statement of intent by the ambitious Fife outfit. The Scotland internationalist, capped nine times, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal, which will make him the highest paid player in the club's history. It also brings the curtain down on a remarkable 12 years at Ibrox for the midfielder, signed by Graeme Souness in 1988 for #1m.

Ferguson, who started his career with Clyde, won 23 medals with Rangers and was the only player at Ibrox to play a part in all nine-in-a-row title wins.

Yesterday, as he closed that chapter, he expressed his delight to be starting afresh at Dunfermline.

However, he confessed that walking away from Ibrox for the last time was one of the hardest things he has done in his life. ''I have been there for 12 years. I was always going to be sad when I walked out that door. I knew that, but I have to get on with my career now,'' he said.

''I got the call from David Murray saying Dunfermline were interested. I never spoke to the Rangers players because it happened on the day they left for the USA.''

Ferguson, whose last start for Rangers came against Parma in Italy in the Champions League last year, has no doubts what the highlight of his Ibrox career was. Reflecting back on the glory days, he recalled: ''There were a lot of good times, but being part of nine-in-a-row was something special.

''It has been unbelievable really. I have touched on this before, but to be a boy from the east end of Glasgow, winning 10 titles with Rangers, and so many cups, it is an incredible achievement.

''I have got to thank Walter Smith, David Holmes, and Graeme Souness for taking me to Rangers. I will always be in debt to them. They gave me something that I could never achieve again.''

Ferguson, who was also being tracked by other Premier League clubs, has taken a drop in wages to sign on at Dunfermline.

However, he was taken by their desire to get back among the big boys at the first attempt. He said: ''Basically, I knew at the beginning of the season when I wasn't getting a game that my time at Rangers was over.

''Being substituted in my testimonial was also a big sign,'' he said, jokingly.

''I have no bad feelings at all. I just hope Rangers go on and win the Premier League and I think they will.''

Ferguson admitted that not having the chance to say a proper goodbye to the Rangers support was one of his most profound regrets, but he is looking forward to helping Dunfermline fight for a place in the top league.

He said: ''I am just looking forward to be back playing again. Getting the rain in your face and the wind in your hair. Hopefully, I can drive the team forward to the Premier League.''

Mampaey, signed before by Calderwood for Dutch side Willem II from Lierse, has joined the Fifers on a six- month contract.

He played in the Champions League this season against Spartak Moscow, Bordeaux, and twice against Sparta Prague.

Yesterday, he was delighted to join Dunfermline. He said: ''It is a new challenge for me. I want to make the most of it and, hopefully, we can win promotion.

The double signing is Calderwood's first foray into the transfer market since succeeding Dick Campbell.

He said: ''Ian is a dying breed, a player that hates to lose. He will bring us great experience.

''Kris is a good keeper. I signed him when I was at Willem II as a third choice, and he soon became No.1.''

q MORTON yesterday stepped up their search and could have a new manager in charge by the time they face Livingston on Saturday.

The first division club have been inundated with applications following the departure of Billy Stark earlier in the week.

Owner Hugh Scott confirmed last night: ''We have had 20 applications in the first 24 hours and are sifting through these.

''There were also certain managers whom we knew we would be inter-ested in and we have moved so swiftly that not only have we received permission from their clubs to approach them but we have interviewed some of them.''

Among the frontrunners to take over are Clydebank's Ian McCall, Terrry Christie, of Alloa, John McCormack, of Queen's Park, and former Rangers striker Kevin Drinkell, who at present is in charge at Montrose.