Barry Ferguson is aiming to write his name into the history books and ensure people are still talking about him and his Rangers team-mates for decades to come.

The Ibrox skipper is determined to lead the club to the victory required against Fiorentina and book a place in the UEFA Cup final in Manchester on May 14.

The last time Rangers reached a major European final was 36 years ago and Ferguson is well aware the team who lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup back in 1972 are still spoken about with pride.

Derek Johnstone and John Greig were both on the official flight to Florence in their respective roles with the club and the media, and Ferguson said: "Guys like Derek Johnstone and Greigy are still talking about 1972!

"It would be nice if people were one day reciting our names but we are not at that stage yet.

"Fiorentina will be fired up as well and we all know we face a hard game.

"It is the same for every player in the squad - 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. I think people will see that come kick-off.

"We'd love to make the final in Manchester and it is only down the road. Everybody could go to it, all your mates and your family. So it is an occasion I desperately want to be involved in with Rangers."

Ferguson, along with fellow midfielder Kevin Thomson, return for the semi-final second leg after being banned for the goalless stalemate in Glasgow last week.

"I could not watch the first leg," revealed Ferguson.

"I did not go to Ibrox and I had the television off in the house. I just cannot watch games.

"I've always had a problem with that. What did I do instead? I played with my kids. I had text messages so I had to turn the phone off.

"It was hard to miss out on it and I was disappointed. But I did what I did in Lisbon so I paid a price with that yellow card.

"It only really hit me last Thursday night. I know the atmosphere was incredible at Ibrox because the boys have spoken about it.

"But, as a rule, if I am not playing I tend to stay away from the game because I cannot bear to watch from the sidelines. I would be up and down in my seat."

Bayern Munich and Zenit St Petersburg are the other two teams vying for a place in the UEFA Cup final and there is no doubt who Ferguson would rather face.

He said: "A guy spoke to me a few months ago and said that we would reach the final and play against Dick Advocaat's Zenit St Petersburg. He has been right so far!

"Wee Dick gave me a chance and I've a lot of respect for him. He's putting together a very good side in Russia by all accounts. It would be lovely to meet him in Manchester and face his team but we are getting ahead of ourselves again."

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