Ferguson completes Rangers return

Scotland captain Barry Ferguson, seen here in 2004. Ferguson returned to Rangers with barely an hour of transfer deadline day remaining.

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Barry Ferguson returned to Rangers with barely an hour of transfer deadline day remaining.

A statement on Rangers' official website said their former captain was coming back to Ibrox on a five-and-half-year contract for a fee of 4.5 million pounds rising to 5 million pounds depending on appearances.

That was an improvement upon Rangers' recent offer of 3.5m million pounds, rising to four, which Blackburn turned down just four days earlier.

Scotland skipper Ferguson handed in a transfer request earlier this month and made it clear he was not interested in any move other than back to Rangers and his native Glasgow, which he left in a 6.5 million pounds deal in 2003.

The midfielder's time in England was blighted by poor form and a serious injury which resulted in him missing most of last season.

Ferguson did not play in the FA Cup win over Colchester on Saturday despite recovering from a groin injury with Rovers manager Mark Hughes claiming it had been an "emotional and difficult time" for the player.