So the former Rangers skipper knows better than anyone how John Fleck has been feeling about failing to establish a place in Ally McCoist's team this season.

Like Fleck, Ferguson worked his way through the youth ranks at the SPL champions and was tipped for big things long before he eventually made his first-team debut in a star-studded line-up which included the likes of Brian Laudrup, Stuart McCall and Jorg Albertz.

However, despite fulfilling a lifelong ambition of playing for his boyhood heroes as Walter Smith's Gers chased 10-in-a-row, Ferguson still cut a dejected figure at times when the progress wasn't as swift as he would have liked.

Fleck's career to date has followed a similar path, though he perhaps gained more exposure at a younger age, which only makes his current predicament more frustrating.

But Fergie believes the opportunity to spend the remainder of the campaign playing beside him at English championship side Blackpool can actually save the youngster from having to call time on his own career at Ibrox.

Fleck has been allowed to head south of the border to try and resurrect his career and Ferguson is convinced it will lead to him returning a much- improved player.

He said: "This is a great chance for John to get back playing regular football. That's what he needs to do.

"I've been in his position. I was a young player, a big Rangers fan, and desperate to play. It can be frustrating when you are not involved, especially when you love the club and want to make a big impact.

"But he' s been bold enough to take the decision to go out and get football down here and get his career going again. John will probably want to go back to Rangers at the end of the loan, but right now it's all about getting games, getting his confidence up again."

Ferguson is equally confident the style of football Blackpool play will bring out the best in a young player with Fleck's creativity and undoubted ability.

He said: "There is no doubt the way we play football will suit his game. I've seen him coming through the ranks as a kid at Rangers and I know what he can do.

"The gaffer Ian Holloway had a brief word with me a few days ago about John although, to be fair, he has been keeping an eye on him for a while.

"I told him to get the wee man in right away if Rangers were willing to let him go. We play a 4-3-3, and I think the plan will be for John to play in front of myself and Ludovic Sylvestre in midfield.

"There would then be the front three ahead of us, and if he can play in that little pocket and pick passes, create things, I believe that would be an excellent role for him.

"John will like the way we play; the gaffer is all about getting the ball down and playing football."

Ferguson added: "Teams are actually going 4-5-1 against us in a lot of matches to combat our system. I enjoy the philosophy and I am sure wee John will as well."

Indeed, so keen is he to see Fleck hit the ground running that Ferguson has invited him to stay with him and take him under his wing.

He said: "It's not exactly Big Brother – but it's getting there! It's going to be me, now John, Bob Harris and Bojan Djordjic, who was at Rangers as well, all in there.

"Danny Wilson has stayed through in Liverpool at his own place and just commutes.

"I've told John the rules that I am the senior figure and how I like my tea – we haven't talked about the cooking yet, I'll let him settle in!

"Seriously, I think it's important for him to have people he knows to help him settle.

"That's why I was on the phone right away to him telling him to come and stay with us.

"It will allow him to settle in right away and not be concerned about where he's going to stay, what his new surroundings will be like.

"As an older guy, I think it's up to me to try and help him along. He's a young guy I've always liked, and if I can help him get back enjoying things and playing in a good league, then great.

"We are desperate at Blackpool to get back up to the Premier League. It's a dog-eat-dog league in the Championship right now, and adding to the attacking options will help us in games we need to win to stay in the hunt."

Ferguson also took the time to offer words of praise for Wilson, who has joined the Seasiders on loan from Liverpool.

He added: "He's a very talented boy. You don't get picked up by Liverpool at his age in a deal costing over £2million if you don't have something. Like John, he needs to play as he wants to be in the Scotland team as well.

"He had hardly played for a year and has been a bit rusty which is natural. But he's come in for the last couple of games and started to look very good.

"It's great to have someone with his pace and composure at the back adding to the options we already had."