Ferguson Jr: I want to join my dad in the Premier League

Darren Ferguson signed on as Preston boss last night aiming to join his father Alex in the Premier League.

Ferguson followed the advice of the Manchester United manager in rejecting interest from Sheffield Wednesday to take over from Alan Irvine at Preston as he felt they had a better shot at promotion.

And despite currently sitting in 16th place in the Championship they are only eight points adrift of the top six with a game in hand and half a season to go.

Ferguson said: “I spoke to my father and he knows the club well. I would be wrong not to have asked his advice.

“We both came to the agreement this was the right one for me. There were other options but we felt this was the best place for me.

“Now the challenge is play-off football. This is the tenth year we have been in the Championship.

“We have hit the bar a couple of times and the challenge is getting them to the Premier League

“You only have to look around this area and Bolton and Blackburn are there. Burnley also has to be a benchmark. They achieved it last year and we want to follow that."

Ferguson has managed to vault up in status since being sacked by the league's bottom club Peterborough earlier this season.

He has taken his former assistant Kevin Russell with him and now becomes the fifth successive Scot to take charge at Deepdale.

Ferguson added: “Preston have had many successful Scottish managers in the past and I am keen to follow that trend.

“They got to the play-offs last season but this year things have not materialised in the same way.

“I am looking forward to working on that. I have had a couple of months break to recharge the batteries and am ready to go.

“The key was finding the right club. Preston are well established with a good track record in the Championship.

“They are also a club that have given their managers time and that was a consideration for me."

Ferguson's first game in charge is the home clash with Doncaster, although the weather has put that game in doubt.

But he is eyeing up their glamour FA Cup clash with Chelsea later this month.

He added: “Possibly my first home game could Chelsea so there's no pressure on me there then!

“It is a good game that is being covered by Sky and should be a full house so that will be special."

Ferguson is hoping to hang on to star Sean St Ledger despite fears Preston may need to sell the defender to ease their doubts.

St Ledger was due to sign for Middlesbrough this month for £4.5million until Gordon Strachan pulled the plug on the deal last month.