THERE'S never a dull moment at Blackburn Rovers these days.

In a week when Mark Hughes finally landed Robbie Savage, Barry Ferguson decided to hand in a transfer request.

I think it's inevitable Barry will sign for Rangers now - the only doubt is whether it will happen in the transfer window or during the summer.

Once a player asks to leave a club, he usually gets his way and I'd let Barry go in this instance, but only if the price is right.

There's no point in keeping an unhappy player but Rangers would have to cough up at least £5 million before I'd even consider sanctioning his return to Glasgow.

What David Murray has offered so far is an absolute joke and it wasn't worth the piece of fax paper it was written on.

How can he seriously expect to pay £3 million for a player that he sold for more than double that 17 months ago?

It's like asking Rovers to pay £3.5 million to loan Barry for a season and a half, which is laughable.

In the meantime, Barry remains a Blackburn player until Rangers come back with a sensible offer and if I was Mark Hughes then I'd play him against Bolton on Monday night.

Some will argue he should be left out because he's no longer committed to the cause.

But I don't honestly believe Barry is that kind of bloke and as long as he's still getting paid by Rovers then I'm sure he'll continue to play with passion.

Monday's game is a massive one for Rovers, especially when you consider some of the games we've got coming up.

Hughes should therefore name his strongest possible side and that would include Barry Ferguson, assuming he's recovered from a groin injury.

What a stage for Robbie Savage to make his debut on, too.

It doesn't get much better than a local derby against one of your fiercest rivals, which is also being screened live on Sky TV.

Robbie, I'm sure, will be chomping at the bit after one of the most drawn out transfer sagas in recent years and what's the betting he pops up with a goal or gets himself entangled in some sort of controversy?

I think he's a great signing for Rovers and exactly what we need at this stage in the season.

He will bring passion, commitment and drive - all qualities Mark Hughes has instilled in his side since he took the reins from Graeme Souness in September.

I've also been impressed by the recent performances of Morten Gamst Pedersen, who has suddenly become some kind of cult figure.

It came as a big surprise when he forced his way back into the team a fortnight ago because I, like a lot of the fans, had written him off if I'm being honest.

He didn't look physically strong enough for the rigours of the Premiership when he first arrived and I fully expected him to make a swift return to Norway.

However, he's managed to turn it around with three goals in his last three appearances, which must be a huge bonus for Hughes because we've been short of firepower in midfield.

Goalscoring midfielders are hard to come by at the best of times and particularly ones who play on the left.

There's still some way to go for Morten, of course, before he can consider himself a regular but it was great to see his celebrations on Wednesday night when he scored against Cardiff.

Now there was a player who really does have passion for the club.