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Football legend Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most celebrated figures in the game Â鶹APP“ but he has never forgotten the primary school teacher who helped to shape his attitudes.

Fergie, who won 38 trophies with Manchester United and 11 at Aberdeen,  was taught by Elizabeth Thomson at a primary school in Govan, Glasgow.

He said: Â鶹APPœShe was a fierce woman with an incredible drive and she commanded the utmost respect from students.Â鶹APP�

He added: Â鶹APPœWhen I think about her now, I realise that it wasnÂ鶹APP™t all about education. Mrs Thomson endeavoured to make you want to be the best you could be.

Â鶹APPœShe got you performing, you know? Yes, I think thereÂ鶹APP™s part of me that comes from her. That determination and that sense of drive. That Â鶹APP˜never give inÂ鶹APP™ attitude she had about all her students.Â鶹APP�

Sir Alex paid tribute to the Broomloan Primary School teacher .

He told how Mrs Thomson was a strict teacher who Â鶹APP“ as was typical in those days Â鶹APP“ would use corporal punishment to keep her students in line. When she died, she bequeathed the belt she used on pupilsÂ鶹APP™ hands to Ferguson, with a letter that said: Â鶹APPœYouÂ鶹APP™ll know more about this than anyone.Â鶹APP�

Sir Alex added: Â鶹APPœShe took an interest in the kids, though. If she was worried that they werenÂ鶹APP™t eating much at home, sheÂ鶹APP™d sure as hell make sure that they ate well at school.

Â鶹APPœTeaching is a vocation, isnÂ鶹APP™t it? ThatÂ鶹APP™s what teachers are born to do. And they take it on as a quest to be the very best.

Â鶹APPœElizabeth was from a good class of family and she came to Govan. Maybe 2000 teachers turned the job down, turned down that sort of challenge, but she thrived on it. She improved everyone she touched. She actively sought out challenge.

Â鶹APPœThe three ingredients to Elizabeth, when I think about it, were personality, determination and energy. Anyone whoÂ鶹APP™s in charge of someone else needs those three ingredients. It just wonÂ鶹APP™t work without them.Â鶹APP�