Rangers confirm Ferguson's departure wish

Rangers manager Alex McLeish has confirmed captain Barry Ferguson wants to leave the club as soon as possible.

Rangers manager Alex McLeish has confirmed captain Barry Ferguson wants to leave the club as soon as possible.

The Scotland international held a meeting with McLeish, Rangers chairman John McClelland and the club's director of football business Martin Bain at the club's Murray Park training complex yesterday.

And McLeish confirmed that the player had made it clear he wanted to quit Ibrox. He said: "We had a meeting and Rangers do not want Barry to leave the club. I don't want him to leave but Barry wants to try a stronger league and play his football elsewhere."That is the crux of the meeting that we had yesterday."It is not about money, he has emphasised that and we have accepted that explanation because he has got a very good contract at Rangers."

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness has already confirmed he is looking to assemble the funds for a bid for the 25-year-old, who has also been linked with Liverpool and Manchester City.

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Rangers have a crucial Champions League qualifier in Copenhagen on Wednesday, a match which could prove to be Ferguson's last for Rangers as the transfer window closes on Sunday at midnight.

But McLeish insisted Rangers' European fate had nothing to do with the request. He said: "I don't think it has got a bearing."