The critics sneered that Barry Ferguson was easy to pigeon-hole. An outstanding success at boyhood club Rangers, he disappointed at Blackburn and was soon heading back north of the border for a second spell at Ibrox. Clearly not good enough for the Premier League, he was better suited to dominating easier fixtures in the SPL. But Alex McLeish took him to Birmingham and the midfielder set about proving everybody wrong. "Unfinished business" is how former Gers boss McLeish described it and the combative Scot became a mainstay of Blues' side.

After being ingrained in Rangers' culture since a child - as his brother Derek was already at the Glasgow club - it was no surprise that Ferguson was groomed for stardom from as early as eight years old and made his debut in 1997. Untold success came his way as he twice won the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year award in his first spell at the club and captained them to a domestic Treble in 2002/2003.

Ferguson moved to Blackburn that August and was made captain but a fractured kneecap halted his progress and he handed in a transfer request in order to secure a return to Ibrox only 18 months after departing. After falling out with manager Paul Le Guen, his fortunes picked up when the Frenchman left the Gers and he went on to captain the team on his 400th appearance against Zenit St Petersburg in the 2008 UEFA Cup final.

A Premier League return was something of a surprise but McLeish convinced the player to have another crack at life in England and the move proved an unqualified success. Ferguson was influential during Birmingham's run to the 2011 Carling Cup and he erased all doubts that he can thrive at Premier League level.

Now experiencing the twilight years of his career, Ferguson is plying his trade in the Championship with Blackpool, who paid in the region of £750,000 for his services.

The sacking from Scotland and unprofessional response to the disciplinary action ended his international career but he did have an opportunity to play for his country again under Craig Levein, only to insist he wanted to concentrate on club football.

Strengths: Reliable and trustworthy in the middle of the park, Ferguson rarely gives the ball away, tackles ferociously and knows his role inside out. Appears to be growing in influence as he inevitably nears the end of his top-level career.

Weaknesses: The off-the-field scrapes, which have included a drinking session whilst on international duty and a bar brawl after an Old Firm derby, suggests character flaws and a lack of maturity. Critics also claim his passing is too conservative.

Career high: Receiving the MBE in the summer of 2006 was a great honour for the midfielder.

Career low: The ban from playing for Scotland after serious breaches of discipline and embarrassingly childish gestures to TV cameras whilst sat on the bench against Iceland. He has admitted he cringes when he sees the footage.

Style: Uncomplicated, aggressive and consistent, he does the simple things very well.

Quotes: "There is one thing I didn't know Barry had which all top players have - a ridiculous moaning head on his shoulders." Former Scotland captain Graeme Souness, 2003.

Trivia: Ferguson has been outspoken about Sectarianism and is married to a Catholic. "These guys are not right in the head," he said. "There's nothing anybody can do about it. I don't think you will ever stop it to be honest, it is just in some people."