RANGERS new boy Maurice Edu had heard tales of Barry Ferguson's sumptuous midfield skills on the other side of the world.

RANGERS new boy Maurice Edu had heard tales of Barry Ferguson's sumptuous midfield skills on the other side of the world.

But, after playing alongside the Gers captain during Fergie's injury comeback in Tuesday's reserve game at St Mirren, the midfielder knows there was no exaggeration.

The former Toronto FC star was told all about the Rangers and Scotland skipper's skills by Toronto FC director of football and former Ger Mo Johnston as MoJo helped do a first class selling job for the Light Blues on the USA international.

The Ibrox youngster said: "Maurice Johnston had told me all about Barry when I was over in Toronto. He said that Barry would help me complete my education as a midfield player and that it would be one of the most beneficial things about coming to Rangers.

"So it was disappointing that Barry had been out injured because I soon realised when I came to Glasgow what a big player he is for the club. Obviously he is the captain and the leader on the park and his influence was something that all the boys have spoken about as well as his ability.

"So to get the chance to play alongside Barry has been something I have been looking forward to for a while - I just never thought it would be in the context of a reserve game.

"But I think maybe that was beneficial for me and in the course of Barry coming back from injury I suppose that was the most likely way it was going to happen."

"When you consider how long Barry has been out for, four months or so I think it is, you would never have guessed it. He just seemed to glide through the game.

"If that is him in his first game back in four months then I guess everything that Mo Johnston said about Barry was more than true. He is that good."

Edu may have only had 62 minutes to tread the boards alongside Ferguson at Love Street but has no doubt about his range of skills and the benefits he has had from his first opportunity to partner Fergie in the boiler room.

Edu said: "Barry is a quality player and his movement off the ball is superb. I know I have a lot to learn and when it comes to learning your trade it doesn't get much better than doing it alongside Barry.

"One of the things that really impressed me about Barry is the way that he never seems to be rushed or in a hurry on the ball.

"The other thing I noticed is that he always finds his man. If the best pass is not on then he will go with the simple one and make sure that we retain possession and that is obviously massively important.

"On top of that Barry is always talking to you and making sure you know where he wants you positionally and also when he wants you to get forward.

"Hopefully I can get the opportunity to play alongside Barry on a regular basis because it is only going to make me a better player."

Edu has only had one first- team run out for Rangers so far, which came in the 2-1 SPL success over Kilmarnock at Ibrox on September 13, and the USA star accepts that the competition for places in the Ibrox midfield is red hot.

However, as he contemplates the prospect of trying to elbow his way ahead of the likes of Pedro Mendes, Kevin Thomson and Stevie Davis, the modest midfielder admitted that he is determined to soak up all the expertise and knowledge he can as he bids to mould himself into the complete modern midfielder.

Edu said: "It was great to get the game against Kilmarnock and I just want to get back in the first team as soon as I can. But I knew when I came to Rangers that it was going to take time to establish myself, and at 22, I have that on my side.

"So the important thing for me is to concentrate on learning as much as I can from players like Barry and Lee McCulloch, who is also a great professional.

"Having Lee playing behind you and then Barry alongside you means you are getting advice and encouragement all the time and that is great. But we have a lot of quality in the midfield area and it could be I have to be patient and keep working away.

"But hopefully, I can provide something different for the manager and my time will come around."

And with Rangers No.2 Ally McCoist in attendance during his promising performance, Edu is hoping his top team dream may be realised sooner than later.

He said: "I think I did all right against St Mirren and now we have two big games coming up in four days, so maybe the manager will need to use the full squad. Maybe that will give me another opportunity."