WHATEVER your opinion of Duncan Ferguson was during his eventful playing career, you could never have accused him of failing to give his all when he took to the field.
The former striker might have received no fewer than nine red cards due to his occasional recklessness and frequent ill-discipline in his time with Dundee United, Rangers, Everton and Newcastle United.
Yet, Big Dunc never once, as any of the defenders who he faced will readily testify, pulled out of a 50-50 challenge or allowed his work rate to drop a single notch during the course of a 90 minutes.
Complete commitment is something that Ferguson, who took over as Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager last Tuesday and oversaw a cinch Championship win over Arbroath at Gayfield on Saturday, insists on from those who play under him now.
Billy McKay, the Highlanders’ captain and striker, revealed that had been the clear message from the Goodison Park great after he took over.
"He demanded we give 100 per cent,” he said. “And he said he'll give 100 per cent back to us. He said right away he is going to look after us and I believe him. When someone says that, you put in a shift and try and get the rewards. We did that on Saturday.”
The sudden arrival of a high-profile figure and huge personality like Ferguson has clearly lifted Caledonian Thistle; they put their 10 match winless run firmly behind them in Angus and moved off the bottom of the table and above Morton on goal difference with their hard-fought victory at the weekend.
It was far from a perfect performance. But McKay, who netted his first Championship goal of the 2023/24 campaign in the second half, was hugely encouraged by the desire that was evident. He is hopeful it is a taste of what is to come in the weeks and months ahead.
"It was a long time coming,” he said. “We made hard work of it in the end (their opponents came back from 3-0 down and nearly salvaged a point). It was a bit nervy on the bench (he was replaced by Zak Delaney). But I was delighted. We need more of that and to push up the league.
"He set us up in a 4-4-2, mid-block, and we did really well with that. We counter-attacked numerous times and should have been more ruthless to kill the game off long before it was.
"We only had two days with him, but he demanded high standards straight away. That's what we need. I am sure we will get to know him a lot more and the players will get to build personal relationships with him. It's been very quick, so we will see how it goes from there.”
McKay will turn 35 later this month and is very much the elder statesman of the Caledonian Thistle squad. But the Northern Ireland internationalist believes he can learn much from a man who spent 13 seasons playing in his position in the Premier League in England.
"My role on Saturday was a little bit different,” he said. “I was dropping in a little bit deeper and defending. Different managers have different ideas, so you just have to adapt to that. I am excited to work with the new manager, as everyone is.
"I wasn't really a supporter of him, but he was around my era. I knew what he was all about and I watched him plenty of times. Everyone knows he's a legend in the game, so it will be good to work with him.”
It was maybe no fluke that McKay netted his first Championship goal of the season in first game that Ferguson stepped into the dugout.
"It's been a few games now since I scored so I was pleased to get it,” he said. “Big Mark (goalkeeper Ridgers) played, with a ball over the top and I finished it well. I had a chance in the first half that I didn't take well, so I was delighted when the ball went in.”
The 229 Caledonian Thistle fans who made the long journey to Arbroath were delighted they did so and gave their new manager Ferguson, who leapt over the advertising hoardings to embrace them following the final whistle, a rousing ovation.
McKay believes their support will be vital if they are to haul themselves away from the Championship relegation zone and survive in the second tier.
"The backing is always important,” he said. “We've not had the start we wanted this season, so to get the win on Saturday and hopefully we can kick on from there is great for the fans. I am sure it will give them all a lift.”
