The Ibrox dressing rooms will be packed with legends but for Barry Ferguson, the main man will be missing.
The former Rangers captain is heading back to his old stomping ground for tomorrow’s charity bounce game between retired Ibrox icons and a world select. It’s a chance for the Gers faithful to celebrate heroes of old, with Jorg Albertz, Ronald de Boer and Nikica Jelavic among the star names back in town.
On the other side, French World Cup ace Manu Petit, Champions League winner Steven McManaman and Dutch ace Robin van Persie will be among the global greats hoping to wind back the years. But for Fergie, behind the party atmosphere there will be an air of sadness. Sunday's match will the first time since he signed for the club as a schoolboy that Ferguson has walked into the hallowed inner sanctum and not found Jimmy Bell’s trademark scowl waiting for him.
Almost 11 months have passed since the cherished kitman’s shock death at the age of 69 but the memory of his gruff exterior and cutting wit lives strong with the former skipper. And before Barry and the rest of the old-stagers pull the boots back on, they will take a moment to remember their departed friend.
“I was thinking earlier this week that this will be the first time I’ve ever walked into that dressing room on a match day and not had wee Jimmy waiting there,” said the Record Sport columnist. "His was always the first face you saw - and it was usually so he could give you absolute dog’s abuse!
“But he was the main man for me at the club. And I’m not just saying that.
“When people talk to me about Rangers, of course I think about how big the club is and the amazing fans, but it’s people like Jimmy Bell that comes to mind first. I was brought up with him being there since I was a young kid and he was there on every occasion.
“We played a legends game last year which took place just a few weeks before he died. But this one is going to be different without him.
“No-one will ever replace Jimmy Bell. I was so close to him and he really was part of the furniture at Ibrox.
"I’m sure we’ll all have a wee pause before the game to think about him. I think I’ll take a wee walk along to his room too, Aladdin’s Cave as I used to call it. He was a massive part of Rangers and is still badly missed.”
Jim McAllister is now the man in charge of laying out the kit and Fergie can’t wait to squeeze back into his. At 45, the waistline is a little larger than when he was in his prime and there’s the odd grey hair now.
But the thrill that comes with running out at Ibrox remains as bright as ever “Memories always flood back whenever you step out onto that pitch,” he said.
“I have to admit, when you’re younger you take things for granted. But it’s only now when I go back to Ibrox that you realise what a place it was to play your football.
“My first ever game at the stadium was in a youth team game. I can’t remember who it was against but I can remember standing ready for kick-off looking round the place and thinking, ‘Wow!’
“I still get that same feeling now when I go back. It never leaves you because it’s a special place.
“I grew up Rangers daft and so now all the years later having the opportunity to go back and play in front of the fans with my old team-mates. There’s nothing better.”
It was another Ibrox legend Richard Gough who famously claimed the team that drank together won together and Ferguson is looking forward to putting that to the test after the match. He said: “I’ve got a little problem with my calf but hopefully I’ll be passed fit for Sunday. I’m going to start the game so we’ll see how long I can last.
“Listen, even now I just can’t pass up the opportunity to play at Ibrox. To this day I still get goosebumps walking in that front door.
“So to get the chance to kick a ball about - well try to - with my old team-mates is something I can’t pass up. It’s great just to get that chance to meet up again. Everybody is off doing different things these days, whether it be media work, coaching or something totally different.
“Everyone is off getting on with their own lives so it can be hard to catch up. So that’s what Sunday offers, a chance to spend a bit of time together in the dressing room, have a laugh and talk about old times.
“Of course there will be a couple of beers afterwards so it should be a great day and I just hope the fans enjoy it too.”
The squads
Rangers - Ronald Waterreus, Roy Carroll, Sasa Papac, Colin Hendry, Marvin Andrews, Alan Hutton, Gregory Vignal, Lorenzo Amoruso, Bruno Alves, Barry Ferguson, Jorg Albertz, Pedro Mendes, Ronald De Boer, Alex Rae, Charlie Adam, Shota Arveladze, Rod Wallace, Nikica Jelavic, Kris Boyd, Jermain Defoe, Peter Lovenkrands, Kenny Miller, Jonatan Johansson, Daniel Cousin.
World legends - Paul Rachubka, David James, Pascal Chimbonda, Robert Huth, Michael Dawson, Wes Brown, Glen Johnson, Jack Wilshere, Emmanuel Petit, Michael Essien, Stewart Downing, Georgi Kinkladze, Luis Boa Morte, Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Robin van Persie, Kanu.
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