Dunc sorry for sucker punch

The fiery Scotsman's red card could have seriously dented Everton's push towards safety, although they eventually won the game 3-1 at Goodison Park.

New Everton boss David Moyes was furious with Ferguson for his latest indiscipline and he was fined and received a verbal dressing-down from the former Preston boss.

Ferguson, who has been handed captaincy by Moyes, has now apologised for his actions, and promised to prove his is the main man for the captain's armband.

"Obviously I am really disappointed with the Bolton incident. I let myself down, I let the team down and I obviously let the manager down," Ferguson told Everton's official website.

"He has shown great faith in me by giving me the captain's armband and luckily enough it never cost us the game, but that is no excuse.

"When I got sent off I was absolutely gutted and all I can really say is that I apologise to the fans, the rest of the team and the manager because I let everybody down.

"I have really got to look at myself and keep my aggression under wraps.

"My disciplinary record has been good over the last few years. I know that was just a one-off incident and I am now trying to put that behind me and look forward to the next couple of games."

Ferguson also reveals that Moyes did not hold back when reading him the riot act, and that he came down hard on him to ensure there is no repeat of the incident.

"He has come down on me like a ton of bricks.

"He was not happy with me and it was not a good start to my captaincy at the club.

"It was a good start for the first couple of games and then things have blown up, so I am really looking now to show him that I'm the right man for the job."

Ferguson will now be suspended during Everton's end to the season and, although they seem safe, his absence will be a big blow to their hopes of ending the season on a high.