I left school at 16 and I was determined I wasn't going to work in a factory. That would have killed me. I wanted to be in the fresh air and fancied a job as a green keeper at the local golf club.

My big break came when Rangers, the club I supported (I still do) asked me to go for a trial. They offered me £5 a week, training twice a week, but I turned it down. Mad eh? When I told my brothers they didn't talk to me for a fortnight. But I knew what I wanted....£10 and an apprenticeship.

Eventually I got my way and signed on 'S' forms. And I loved it.

I didn't mind cleaning boots and the toilets and sweeping up. But the closest I got to a ball was giving it a coat of dubbin.

I was playing for Glasgow Amateurs and the Rangers third team. But I got sent off three times for Amateurs, once for head-butting someone. I was always in trouble with referees and getting banned. But that didn't stop me. I would just play under an assumed name.

I had such a temper that I was flaring up all the time. I ended up banned for four months and that didn't go down too well at Ibrox.

I only played a couple of games for Rangers before they called me in and said they didn't think I had a future there. But at least I had worn the shirt which was a great honour.

It was a body blow. But, in life, you need the lows to help you appreciate the highs.

Rangers said they would do their best to help me get fixed up. But nothing happened.

But two weeks later, out of the blue, I was offered a week long-trial at Manchester City. A week later I got a call that Birmingham City were interested in me. It was the start of a great journey.