Barry Ferguson admits Rangers Legends game will be tinged with sadness without the 'main man'

The Ibrox dressing rooms will be packed with legends but for Barry Ferguson, the main man will be missing.

The former Rangers captain is heading back to his old stomping ground for tomorrow’s charity bounce game between retired Ibrox icons and a world select. It’s a chance for the Gers faithful to celebrate heroes of old, with Jorg Albertz, Ronald de Boer and Nikica Jelavic among the star names back in town.

On the other side, French World Cup ace Manu Petit, Champions League winner Steven McManaman and Dutch ace Robin van Persie will be among the global greats hoping to wind back the years. But for Fergie, behind the party atmosphere there will be an air of sadness. Sunday's match will the first time since he signed for the club as a schoolboy that Ferguson has walked into the hallowed inner sanctum and not found Jimmy Bell’s trademark scowl waiting for him.

Almost 11 months have passed since the cherished kitman’s shock death at the age of 69 but the memory of his gruff exterior and cutting wit lives strong with the former skipper. And before Barry and the rest of the old-stagers pull the boots back on, they will take a moment to remember their departed friend.

“I was thinking earlier this week that this will be the first time I’ve ever walked into that dressing room on a match day and not had wee Jimmy waiting there,” said the Record Sport columnist. "His was always the first face you saw - and it was usually so he could give you absolute dog’s abuse!

“But he was the main man for me at the club. And I’m not just saying that.

“When people talk to me about Rangers, of course I think about how big the club is and the amazing fans, but it’s people like Jimmy Bell that comes to mind first. I was brought up with him being