It is almost exactly three years since Ferguson resigned from his last managerial position with League 1 Alloa Athletic.

He had been in charge for nine months and left the club eighth in the third-tier table. Prior to that he had spells in the fourth tier with Clyde and Kelty Hearts.

Since then, Ferguson said he had been enjoying the “quiet life”, working with Rangers as a club ambassador, and harboured no immediate plans to return to the dugout until this opportunity arose.

When asked if he felt ready to embrace the challenge of such a huge job, Ferguson’s response was robust and emphatic.

“I wouldn’t be siting here if I didn’t,” he said.

He added: “I went down a different route as an ambassador.

“Did I want to get back into coaching and management? If I’m being brutally honest, I wasn’t thinking about it. But when that phone call comes, there was no way I was going to turn it down.

“I am desperate to get started. I loved being out on the grass today with the players and can’t wait to be on the touchline tomorrow.”