Ferguson will celebrate his 30th birthday on Saturday, before Rangers face Hibernian in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup at Easter Road the following day.

And the Ibrox skipper, along with team-mate Lee McCulloch who also turns 30 in the coming months, insists the time is right to take the first tentative steps towards a coaching career.

"I have decided that I am going to do my coaching badges this year so that is something I am looking forward to," said Ferguson.

"I have been mulling it over for the past couple of years and I have finally decided to give it a shot and see how it goes.

"The biggest thing for me would be to train young players and pass on my experience to them. I think I would get a lot out of that but we will see if I can pass the badges I take later this year.

"Myself and big Lee are going to do it soon and we will see where that takes us."

However, Ferguson sees no reason why he should be contemplating hanging up his boots just yet.

He told Rangers News: "There is no doubt that I feel fitter now than I was when I was 21 or 22.

"Obviously when you get older you look after yourself a bit more than when you are young.

"When you are in your early 20s being fit comes easily to you. I have learned a lot over the years and I am sure I will be able to play for the next five years no problem at all."

Ferguson is already imparting his words of wisdom to Rangers' young stars of the future.

Sixteen-year-old striker John Fleck made his first-team debut against East Stirling in the Scottish Cup last midweek and said: "The other guys in the team have been great to me.

"Barry spoke to me before I went out to play East Stirling because he knew I was going to be involved.

"He just told me to get on the ball as much as I could, to talk to people, and enjoy the experience.

"It is great to work alongside guys like Barry and Kris Boyd. These are guys you look up to and it is a real thrill to train with them."