BARRY FERGUSON got his hands on the Scottish Cup at the weekend - now he hopes next season will prove even more fruitful for him.

The Rangers captain looked to be on the verge of leading his side to a Quadruple just a few weeks ago.

However, defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in the City of Manchester Stadium ended their Uefa Cup dreams and they lost on the final day of the season to Aberdeen as Celtic crossed the finishing line in first spot.

But after lifting the CIS League Cup earlier in the campaign, and the Scottish Cup on Saturday at Hampden after a 3-2 victory over Queen of the South, Ferguson wants more next season.

He said: "It was nice to end the season on a high by winning the Scottish Cup.

Everyone was extremely disappointed at losing out on the league title on Thursday night, but we had to lift ourselves and make sure we won the game on Saturday.

"It was our 68th game of the season and that is the most any Rangers team has ever played in one season. But we knew we had to go out there and give it everything we had on the day.

"As captain, it's always a nice feeling to go up and lift silverware. It's the same for all the players as you can never win enough during your career and it was a nice way to end the season.

"There were a lot of highs and reaching the Uefa Cup Final was a fantastic experience and I thought we were unlucky not to have won the league. So it was a big effort from everyone and we have come a long way in a short space of time.

"Now it's about improving further and hopefully we can win silverware again next season and win the league."

Ferguson admitted his team-mates were given a huge scare when Queen of the South to levelled the score.

"We were two goals ahead then all of a sudden it was level," said Fergie. "At that stage you've got to raise your game and restore your lead and I thought we really took the game to Queens.

"We made a good start and were really positive from the first whistle," he continued. "Kris Boyd scored an excellent opener and that allowed everyone to settle down.

"He is capable of hitting a good free-kick. Then DaMarcus Beasley added a second. But we had to go and win the game all over again and Boydy was on hand again to score the winning goal."

Ferguson will not require an operation on his troublesome ankle injury, according to manager Walter Smith.

"It has been more niggly things than anything else. I think the rest will help him.

"He's going to see the specialist in the early part of next week about his ankle but we are confident there is no surgery required.

"A bit of rest and recuperation will do him the world of good."