All finals are special - Ferguson

11 March 2009 11:56
Rangers captain Ferguson has played down the significance of the first Old Firm final for six years, insisting his main concern is helping the Ibrox club retain the trophy they won last season.[LNB]"People often ask me how good it would feel to lift another trophy and the answer is that nothing ever changes," Ferguson said.[LNB]"The hunger to win is always there and, whenever you get your hands on silverware again, it feels every bit as special as the first time you did it.[LNB]"Once your desire to keep doing that goes, there is no point in playing football anymore and you might as well give up.[LNB]"To lift a trophy as captain of Rangers is a huge thing for me and it's special to all of my family and friends too. It means so much to us all. It doesn't matter who it is against.[LNB]"People also question me about whether finals against Celtic are better to be part of than matches against other teams.[LNB]"It doesn't make a difference to me. We could be playing against Berwick Rangers or whoever else this weekend and it would still be just as big a game.[LNB]"To win the trophy is the biggest thing, and we must make sure we're the ones standing there with it once the final whistle goes."[LNB]Midfielder Ferguson, 31, is unbeaten in his last nine domestic cup finals dating back to 1998, which includes three wins against Celtic.[LNB]The fact there have not been more Old Firm finals recently has surprised some, but not Ferguson.[LNB]He told Rangers News: "It's not that astounding to me that we've had to wait so long for another final against Celtic.[LNB]"I think if it was, that would be disrespectful to other clubs going for trophies such as the League Cup and Scottish Cup.[LNB]"A lot of clubs in this country have done ever so well to get as far in these competitions as they have in recent years. It just so happens that this year, the two of us are meeting at this stage of the competition for the trophy.[LNB]"Derbies are always great occasions and the atmosphere will be electric as always. It is up to us to rise to the occasion."[LNB]It is honours even in three Clydesdale Bank Premier League meetings between the sides this season, with one win apiece followed by a dour goalless draw.[LNB]"There hasn't been a lot between the two teams in the matches they've played so far this season," Ferguson said.[LNB]"Even if there had been, form always goes out the window when you play in these games.[LNB]"It doesn't matter if you've won 10 or 12 times in a row, if you've been on an unbeaten run or if your opponents have lost two or three games.[LNB]"It all gets forgotten and that's the exciting part of the derby. You just don't know what is going to happen and you simply can't predict how it will go.[LNB]"Since the Hamilton game last Sunday, we've had a full week to look ahead to this match and that is a big help. We know it will be difficult but hopefully we can come out on top."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk