Mick's old firm foe at the Fury

As a Celtic defender in the late 1980s, McCarthy faced Fury boss and former Rangers midfielder Ian Ferguson on numerous occasions in the fiercely-contested Glasgow derby.

Now 20 years on and with their two teams set to meet tomorrow, the thought still brings back painful memories for Ferguson.

He said: "I played against him when I was at Rangers and he was at Celtic. He was too big for me and he nobbled me a few times!

"But big Mick is a nice guy and an absolute gentleman.

"He might not remember me but I remember him – mainly because of the size of him. It will be nice to play against his team."

But Ferguson is mistaken, McCarthy does remember him.

The Wolves boss said: "I recall playing against him quit a few times when he was at Rangers and St Mirren and he was a good player.

"He was a competitive lad – I did kick a few times, but I didn't isolate him, I kicked anyone!

"I was a competitor and I think he'd back that up – if I was playing against someone who competed, it was either I was going to win or he was.

"It will be nice to see him for the first time on a friendly basis."

While McCarthy has signed six new players in readiness for the new season, Ferguson has had to build from scratch.

Boasting former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler as their marquee signing, Fury are a completely new set-up.

The manager said: "Mick's fortunate – he's only got six new players, I've got 23! It's going to be a tough game – we're a new franchise and we know they're going to be a quality side.

"I know Mick and I know what his teams will be like – they will be good, big, strong and fast.

"Mick's a fantastic coach, a quality manager and he's brought in good players. It's going to be a very tough game.

"We should go out and enjoy it – no one expects to win because it's an A-League club playing a Premier League club, but this is the level we aspire to be."

McCarthy was interested to hear Ferguson has built the side from nothing.

The Molineux chief said: "Isn't that a great thing to do? I had 11 players when I came here and most of those weren't staying around.

"As long as people don't see it as a formidable task and give him the opportunity to do it, then fine.

"But if someone thinks you can just stick 23 players together and have a great team, then it isn't going to happen.

"It's fantastic for him – he can build it in his own style and image."

Ferguson is equally excited about playing Wolves because he can see how far his team have come after three friendlies - two of which were defeats, the other a win.

He said: "I'm pretty excited about this one, because this is the benchmark for them.

"I've told the players that they need to show where they want to be, especially the younger ones.

"I've said to them 'don't be happy playing in the A-League, there's a lot bigger and better leagues'."