Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson was one of the most feared players in the Premier League.
Duncan Ferguson built up a hard man reputation as he often imposed his 6ft 4in frame on opposing defenders.
Ferguson was much more than just a brute up front, though, as he had a cultured left foot which struck a whopping 72 goals for Everton.
The Scotsman is only behind Romelu Lukaku as the Toffees’ record Premier League goalscorer, and he’s still loved by the Goodison Park faithful.
Ferguson has recently been promoting his book in the media, reminiscing on all of his old stories, and now he’s just revealed who his toughest opponent was.
Duncan Ferguson says former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia was his toughest opponent
Speaking on the Peter Crouch podcast, Duncan Ferguson admitted that former Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyppia was one his toughest opponents.
“I always say big Sami Hyypia at Liverpool was one of my toughest opponents,” Ferguson explained.
“He was big, he was good in the air. Not the quickest… brave. I remember once I flattened him at Anfield and I was actually playing for Newcastle at the time.
“He was probably getting the better of me at the time right and I’m thinking, who’s this big f—–, he’s getting the better of me.
“And I just come close to him and banged him and out he went…gone. He gets the treatment, gets stretchered off… he came back on, he came back on the pitch.
“Honestly, the amount of respect I had for that man after he came back on the pitch, he could easily have swallowed it and walked away.
“I mean I gave him a cheap shot, I flattened the boy because he was getting the better of me. Was stretched off and I mean carted off at Anfield and you know five minutes later, he was back on.
“I thought God almighty, I tell you what mate, you’re not only a good player, you’re tough as well.”
Ferguson also said Tony Adams, Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand were really tough
Ferguson also admitted that former Arsenal duo Tony Adams and Sol Campbell were really hard to play against, as was Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United.
“There was no easy ride in the Premier League,” the former Everton frontman said.
“Obviously, you’ve got boys like Tony Adams, the old school boys, haven’t you? Back in the day, Tony Adams, with the centre backs big, bold, key on, with the Arsenal in the defence there.
“Big Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, as you’ve got in the main kind of modern type thing. They were all wonderful players.”
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