Barry Ferguson has responded to James Sands' criticism of Scottish football and admitted he wasn't impressed by the remarks.

Sands had spent time on loan at Ibrox - with the club having held an option to sign the 22-year-old - before returning to New York City FC.

And on his return to the MLS, Sands suggested he'll face a tougher challenge across the pond when discussing competing in the US competition.

However, Ferguson was not happy with Sands' remarks and suggested the player "hasn't covered himself in glory" as he defended the Scottish game.

On the Go Radio Football Show, Ferguson said: "I don't like people saying things like that.

"I always stick up for the Scottish game and I know the quality is not the best at times but I don't think James Sands covered himself in glory.

"I don't think he was a main player for Rangers when he came over. He did well when he came over, a midfielder having to play centre-back at times, and did a job.

"But I don't like seeing that when players leave, it's a bit of bad blood for me and you should just say things happen in football.

"When I see players who leave clubs and have a wee pop at them, I don't really like it."

Celtic legend Peter Grant then hit out over the remarks as he joked over Sands' record in Scotland, adding: "It must be all those winners' medals weighing him down."

Discussing the standards playing in the MLS compared with Scottish football, Sands had said: “I really look forward to those sorts of challenges.

“That's something that I get here in MLS that I didn’t get at all, really, in Scotland in the league there. So it’s a nice change. 

“Those guys [opposition players] will get the better of me sometimes, but it’s all about learning.

“I’m still a young player, and I’m trying to improve, so those are night-shifts I really look forward to.”

READ MORE: Does Scott Arfield's impact and influence merit a new Rangers deal?

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