Ferguson extends Birmingham deal until 2012Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson has signed a one-year extension to his contract to remain at St Andrew's until the summer of 2012.
Ferguson, 32, was named the club's players' player of the season last campaign and has impressed since moving to the midlands from Rangers last summer and was delighted to have signed his new deal.
Ferguson, who is currently on the club's pre-season tour of Hong Kong and China, said: "Before I left on the tour it was all agreed and I signed on the dotted line. I can now concentrate on another two years at Birmingham. It was kind of a dual thing: they came to me and had a chat, and I was always interested.''
The Scot also revealed that playing a part in a strong season for Alex McLeish's side, who finished ninth in the Premier League against expectations, had made it an easy decision to stay.
Ferguson said: "I loved my first season down there. I've never hidden that. I was more than happy to extend the contract by another season. I can now focus on trying to do the job I did last year, and do it even better.''
It was announced last week that the former Blackburn player would not make himself available for international selection under new Scotland boss Craig Levein. Under former boss George Burley he had been stripped of the captaincy and not considered for selection after indulging in a late-night drinking session following a World Cup qualifier against Iceland and then making obscene gestures from the bench at Hampden Park. Ferguson hopes his decision to focus on club football will benefit Birmingham.
"It was a major decision I took,'' he said. "I spoke to Craig Levein at the end of February and I honestly didn't then think about it until the end of the season. I said to Birmingham I would give them everything when I came down, and I'm a firm believer in keeping my word. I wanted to make sure I finished the season as good as I could and then I went away and thought about it. I spoke to various people and came to a decision. It's been put to bed now and now I can focus on Birmingham.
"I was going to leave it until the start of August, but I just felt that Craig was a guy who came down to see me, we spoke a couple of times on the phone, and I thought I had to let him know before pre-season started. I wanted to concentrate on my pre-season here and, at the same time, there was my contract as well, and I wanted to get something sorted.''
Ferguson now hopes to help McLeish's men improve on last term's excellent performances.
"We've got a big job this season to try to do what we did last season, better than last season,'' he said. "I believe the players we've got here, the characters we've got here, are the right bunch. The gaffer's brought in further signings and I am sure he is after three or four more. I think you always do need to bring in fresh blood. The gaffer knows what he's doing and he won't stand still - and the club can't.''
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=808960&cc=4716
