Birmingham newcomer Barry Ferguson insists he retains “total respect” for Rangers and their manager Walter Smith despite the end-of-season controversy which resulted in him leaving Ibrox.

Ferguson was dropped by Scotland after a drinking session following a match in Holland and then caused further uproar by making gestures towards the cameras during the next international at Hampden Park.

He was also stripped of the Rangers' captaincy and suspended with Smith believing it was in the best interests of everyone if Ferguson left the club.

The player, who made the £1.25million move to St Andrews last week, said: “I agree totally with what Walter Smith said. There was never any fall-out with me or Rangers. There was nothing like that.

“I have got total respect for Walter and Rangers. The time was right to move on and try something different. I will always have a place in my heart for Rangers but Birmingham is now my club and I want to try my best to help them do well.”

Ferguson is hoping his winning mentality can rub off on City following their promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship.

He said: “I always go out and want to win. There's no point in turning up if you don't think you can win — and I've been used to winning. No matter who you are up against, you've got to go out with a belief that you're going to come out on top.

“I don't think there's any use going out thinking 'It's Manchester United or Liverpool, we've got no chance.'”