Barry Takes A Grip Of Big Games .. Now He'll Take A Grip Of Trophy Says Nacho Novo

Feb 3 2008 By Gordon Waddell

NACHO NOVO watched in awe as his skipper turned another crucial clash Rangers' way last Wednesday night and grinned: "Just call him big game Barry!"

Captain fantastic Ferguson's controversial but sensational opener against Hearts at Hampden sent Gers on the way to their first final in three years.

However, Novo insists he never expects anything but inspiration from the driving force behind a team still fighting on four fronts.

The Spaniard, celebrating his 30th birthday yesterday, reckons Ferguson has matured perfectly into officer material.

When things have been on the line this season Barry has stepped up, scoring for Scotland against Italy at Hampden, for Gers in the Old Firm game and again when they needed him most last Wednesday.

Novo believes Baz will be centre stage when Rangers' big push for trophies takes them to Easter Road on Scottish Cup duty today.

It's the start of a crucial spell that will see their UEFA Cup and SPL ambitions put to the test but Novo said: "Barry is a strong guy, he knows exactly what these games take now.

"The match against Hearts wasn't brilliant football, the pitch wasn't in great condition but then you get Fergie - top goal, top class.

"It was great he scored. And after he put us on the way we dominated.

"Barry has brought 100 per cent in every game in all the years he has been here. Even when things are bad he's the one who keeps us going, pushing us on.

"That has an effect on all the players. He transforms us and we all go for it with him.

"Barry has so much experience now. At his age he knows what these big games take whether it's Champions League, semi-finals, cups. whatever. He knows how to play the game. "And he can be hard on us too - but that's his passion.We all shout at each other sometimes. You need that to get you through games."

It's incredible to think that just over a year ago Ferguson was on the brink of being binned from Ibrox as his personality clash with misfit manager Paul Le Guen (below) reached a "him or me" head. His survival through those dark days has seen him prosper again under Walter Smith.

And Novo shakes his head at the thought of how close Gers came to losing their skipper. He sighed: "Le Guen? It was a hard time for Barry but that happens sometimes - you just need to try to keep going and not let it affect you or the team.

"I know him though, he has strength and you can see how much happier he is now playing the way he is." However, Novo will only be happy when he's playing more than a bit part for Gers. The frontman has mustered just 59 minutes of football in four sub appearances since he dislocated his shoulder in November.

It's three months since he started a game, even longer since he scored.

But he's hoping a return to the scene of his seminal Rangers moment - the goal against Hibs that turned the SPL helicopter 180 degrees away fromFir Park on that dramatic final day in May 2005 - can be a catalyst to kick on.

Nacho said: "The place has some special memories for me. Since my shoulder went though I knew it would be hard to get back but getting the last 15 minutes or so last Wednesday is a start - now I'm looking for a full game.

"But the most important thing is the team and winning." And the more Gers keep on winning the more games they keep playing. The heavier the schedule the more Novo believes he will have to step up.

He said: "This is a good squad. We have great passion, believe in each other and can put a run together. But we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves.

"We have a big run of games and players get tired, suspended, injured - everyone must do the business when called on."