Inverness Caledonian Thistle confirm the appointment of Duncan Ferguson as their new manager… as former Forest Green Rovers boss secures sensational return to Scottish football

• Duncan Ferguson has made a stunning return to Scottish football with Inverness
• The 51-year-old left Forest Green Rovers in July following just one win in charge
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Duncan Ferguson has made a sensational return to Scottish football as the new manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The former Dundee United and Rangers striker was confirmed as Billy Dodds’ successor at a media conference at the Caledonian Stadium this morning.

The 51-year-old hasn’t been involved in club football north of the border since moving from Ibrox to Everton in 1994.

Ferguson, who also played for Newcastle in between his two stints at Goodison, had several spells as Everton’s caretaker manager before taking his first permanent managerial job at Forest Green Rovers at the start of this year.

He left the club in July having won just one of 18 games but will now be given a second chance to prove himself in management in the Highlands.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have appointed Duncan Ferguson (above) as their new manager

The 51-year-old left Forest Green Rovers in July following just one win in charge

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Ferguson, came through the ranks at Dundee United under Jim McLean and moved to Rangers in 1993 for a then British record fee of £4million.

His time at Ibrox became best known for being found guilty in a court of law for an on-field assault on Raith Rovers’ John McStay, despite the match referee missing the incident.

The third such conviction of his life, Ferguson was given a three-month prison sentence in October 1995. He served 44 days in Barlinnie Prison. The SFA controversially banned Ferguson for 12 matches before the case came to court.

The striker was already on Merseyside by the time he was sent to prison.

In his time there, he helped Everton beat the drop and win the FA Cup.

Ferguson moved to Newcastle for £8m in 1998 but endured a frustrating time on Tyneside through injuries. Although his second spell at Everton from 2000 was not as successful, he remained a firm fans’ favourite.

Following retirement, Ferguson spent five years living in Mallorca but got in touch with then Everton manager David Moyes to ask if he could volunteer at the club’s academy.

Although he remained disappointed at the SFA’s treatment of him, he returned to Largs to do his coaching badges, which led to him being promoted to the Everton first-team coaching staff.

The Everton legend joined the Scottish side on a three-year deal on Tuesday morning

Ferguson won seven Scotland caps, the last of which came in 1997. He’s since expressed regret that he did not come out of international retirement to play for the late Walter Smith. He takes over with Inverness bottom of the Championship, having picked up just one point from six games.

Despite Dodds taking the Highlanders to last season’s Scottish Cup final and recently signing a new deal, they parted company following a 1-0 loss to Raith Rovers 10 days ago.

Interim duo Charlie Christie and John Robertson took charge for the weekend defeat to Dundee United as the club looked at a list of candidates including former St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson and Celtic coach Darren O’Dea.

But it is Ferguson who will complete a remarkable journey back to the Scottish game when he is unveiled today.

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