BLACKBURN Rovers' new signing Barry Ferguson last night admitted he had to quit Scotland for the sake of his family.

The former Rangers skipper spoke for the first time about the sectarian abuse he and his family used to suffer in the soccer-mad city of Glasgow.

Ferguson said the situation had got so bad that he even dreaded taking his kids to the local swimming baths for fear of the abuse he would get off Celtic fans.

But now the Ferguson family are looking forward to a quieter life in the North West after swapping Lanarkshire for Lancashire.

And the 25-year-old is viewing his move to Rovers as the chance to make a fresh start on and off the pitch.

"I'm looking forward to getting some peace and quiet," said Rovers' new £6.5 million signing.

"I just want to be able to go to the park to play football with my boys or take them to the swimming pool without worrying someone will say something to me that will upset the kids.

"I can take a bit of banter, and most of the time I have had a carry-on with the Celtic supporters.

"But sometimes things have been said when the kids have been with me and it's not been nice.

"I'm not saying I was a target every time I left the house but even if something happens just once in front of them then it is once too often."

The lowest point of Ferguson's Rangers career came in the wake of an Old Firm game three years ago.

He was sent off as the Gers got thrashed 6-2 at Parkhead and later became embroiled in a street fight with Celtic fans in what was dubbed the Battle of Bothwell.

The police got involved but no charges were brought against the Rangers captain.

However, the whole episode served as a major wake-up call to the midfielder and he has never looked back since.

"I've been silly in the past and retaliated to things I should have ignored but I know how to deal with it now, although sometimes it takes so much just to walk away and ignore things.

"The mad days are gone, long gone," said Ferguson, in an interview with the Sunday Mail.

"I've had a few of them in my time and sometimes you maybe need things like that night to show you the rights and wrongs.

"I was heavily criticised for it and deserved it. When I look back I'm not proud of the events of that night.

"But it was a turning point in my life as a footballer and as a person.

"It made me realise I had to be careful about what I was doing and respect the position I held as a husband, father and Rangers player.

"Now I try not to think about anything negative that can happen off the field. Moving to England will be good for the family.

"It will be strange at first but we will get used to it. We are looking forward to a good life there and finding a new house and schools for the kids."

The prospect of proving himself in the Premiership, too, was another major factor behind his decision to move south.

And after watching his new team-mates perform so impressively against Chelsea on Saturday, he cannot wait to get his Blackburn career off the ground.

"It was good to see the team in action and I can't wait to get started," said Ferguson.

"People are saying I've joined a middle-of-the-road team but I believe we are at least a top six side and I expect us to qualify for the Champions League with a bit of luck by finishing in the top four."