Ferguson has been hurt by the loss of the captaincy at Ibrox

Deposed Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson has been a victim of gratuitous criticism from sections of the media, according to his elder brother, Derek.

Ferguson has lost the captaincy at Ibrox and been banned from playing for Scotland for high-profile misdemeanours while on international duty.

"I was amazed and disgusted with the media coverage," Derek Ferguson told BBC Scotland.

"And a lot of ex-players have been too quick to criticise."

Ferguson and Rangers colleague Allan McGregor were involved in a late-night drinking session after a World Cup qualifying defeat in Holland and got into further hot water when they made gestures while on the substitutes' bench against Iceland.

That led to an international ban and Ibrox manager Walter Smith fined and suspended both players for a fortnight.

The story generated much furore in the media and brother Derek, himself a former Rangers and Scotland star, was appalled by some of the reporting.

If you give players an inch, they will take a mile. It's in our nature Derek Ferguson

"The way the media went after him was below the belt," he continued. "You'd think he'd murdered somebody.

"People will point out that he's an experienced player but I know many experienced players who have made mistakes.

"In our profession a lot of mistakes are made. In days gone by, you'd have been called a character."

Ferguson, 31, was injured in a reserve outing after the internal club suspension was lifted and he is unlikely to feature again this season.

"The first week or two, when he was banned from going into training by Rangers, that was a killer for him," explained former Stranraer manager Derek.

"He's dealing with it a lot better now; he's in a better frame of mind. He picked up an injury when he was just desperate to get back.

"He'll be hurting at missing Saturday's Old Firm game. Those are the games he lives and breathes for.

"He's suffered in terms of losing the captaincy at Rangers and Scotland and I know just how much that meant to him.

"I remember way back when Dick Advocaat asked him to become the captain, he came to me and asked for advice. It was a no-brainer. What an honour.

"Over the years, he's grown into the role and he's loved the responsibility not just on the park but off the park."

Derek Ferguson then revealed some of the additional strain caused by the negative press surrounding his little brother.

"It's not just hurt Barry, it's had an impact on the whole family," he continued.

Derek (left) and Barry Ferguson pictured together in 1998

"I phoned my mum on the afternoon when it all kicked off and she was in tears.

"My dad, who's still working as a roofsheeter, walked off his job.

"Barry's kids have suffered. You know what kids are like, they taunt each other. I've got three boys of my own and there's been a lot of Mickey-taking going on.

"They're gutted because it's their uncle Barry and they were proud of him being the captain of Rangers and the captain of Scotland."

The elder Ferguson also believes the situation could have been handled better by the Scottish Football Association.

"I think there should have been an inquiry straight away to find out what happened when the guys got off the flight from Holland," he said.

"What was said to the players?

"If you give players an inch, they will take a mile. It's in our nature.

"And when you've got a group who don't socialise together that often, they probably will go and have a few drinks.

"It wasn't the right time. We all know that and Barry has owned up to doing a stupid thing.

"People that aren't involved in football circles may find it strange, but the players should have been sent to bed."

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