BARRY FERGUSON has huge respect for the Barcelona legends he watches going around Rangers on a day-to-day basis.

But he admits his over-riding dream is to be mentioned in the same breath as the players who captured the club's only ever European honour back in 1972.

Fergie - who blanked last week's goal-less first leg against Fiorentina at Ibrox as he was so gutted at being out through suspension - could be the first skipper since John Greig to lead Rangers into a final if they overcome the Italians tonight.

And the 30-year-old admitted: "It is my first European semi-final so I want to savour it. I missed out last week through suspension, but sometimes you have to accept these things happen in the game. The guys did a good job and we'd probably have taken a goal-less draw beforehand.

"We know what a rare opportunity it is because it is over 30 years since the club were last in a European final. This could be the last chance of this happening for any of us. We want it badly.

"This is a special occasion. I am a home-grown,- Rangers guy and to lead the club out in a European final would be an unforgettable experience.

"Guys like Derek Johnstone and Greigy are still talking about 1972. It would be nice if people were one day reciting our names."

Manchester is only 220 miles down the road, but it probably still feels an eternity away for the Rangers players and fans as they see if they can take that final leap.

Ferguson knows that he and another 10 men will be charged with delivering the dreams of a support.

He went on: "We'd love to make the final. I remember watching Celtic in 2002-03 when they did so well in Europe that season to make Seville. We are in a semi and you never know what might happen now."

Fergie also believes the excellent condition of the Artemio Franchi pitch could work in Rangers' favour tonight - just like it did in Lisbon earlier this month.

He added: "There was a good surface in Lisbon and that helped us pass the ball well. We went out to train in the stadium the night before the game and I sensed there and then we could deliver a very good performance. If we play the way we did against Sporting we have every chance of making the final."