Barry Ferguson hurt me with 'are you meant to be a f****** goalkeeper?' But that is where Butland and I part ways

“Mick! I thought you were meant to be a f****** goalkeeper.”

As shouts go, this was a sore one. Not only did it boom out and echo round an empty Murrayfield Stadium, it came from one of the best players Scotland has produced in the last 30 years. Barry Ferguson has always been able to spot a player… The Rangers legend was a ringer for the fitba’ writers team a few years back with yours truly between the sticks. It’s fair to say he wasn’t impressed. The SRU were trying to push their gaff back then as an alternative home to Scottish football, instead of Hampden. The bounce game was part of the PR drive. It didn’t go so well for this hack. Our team won fairly comfortably but we still conceded four goals and all of them were my fault. The memory of one in particular came to mind the other night like it was a monster coming out from under the bed.

It was also handy having loads of messages coming through to remind me when Jack Butland’s own goal at Old Trafford on Thursday was harshly described as “doing a Gannon”. Yep, punching the ball into your own net isn’t for everyone. Welcome to the club, Jack. The fitba’ writers team – apart from Barry who was raging – rolled about laughing but the keeper situation is no joking matter at Ibrox. There are plenty of punters who are starting to think Butland should suffer the same fate as me – getting the Spanish archer treatment.

But that’s where Jack and I should part ways. I deserved the El Bow while Butland has more than earned his shot at redemption. It’s true, it hasn’t been a great campaign for the former England cap. Even going back to the tail end of last term, there have been some big mistakes in high-profile matches.

Butland didn’t look too clever when he allowed Adam Idah to