RED'S LETTER DAY'S

King Kenny reveals how Liverpool gaffer and his Man United arch rival were pen pals in new BBC Fergie doc

- GEORGE MAIR

TWO Scots football greats never let their fierce rivalry get in the way of congratulating each other on their successes, a documentary has revealed.

Sir Kenny Dalglish has told how he and Sir Alex Ferguson always exchanged letters on each other's managerial triumphs, even when they came at the other's expense.

Dalglish twice led Liverpool to the Football League First Division title when up against Ferguson's Manchester United.

Then, as manager of Blackburn Rovers, he famously pipped his fellow Scot to the Premier League title on the final day of the 1994-95 season.

That triumph for Dalglish came at a time when Ferguson's Red Devils were beginning to dominate the game south of the Border, having already knocked Liverpool "off their perch" as the country's most successful club.

Speaking on Sir Alex, a two part BBC documentary on Ferguson's life, Dalglish reveals their mutual respect.

He said: "Never a year went by when one of the two of us had success, was there not a letter sent from the other, with congratulations', signed.

"And it's a great satisfaction when you get them when you've beaten him."

The programmes chronicle the incredible life and career of the most decorated manager in British football history.

Ferguson, now 82, led United to the English League Championship a record 13 times between 1993 and 2013, and won Europe's most coveted trophy, the Champions League, twice in the most dramatic of fashions.

A host of former players including Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Andy Cole and Denis Irwin reveal what it was like to play for Ferguson's all-conquering United.

The two, hour-long episodes also explore the Scot's origins and where his legendary will to win came from.

It sheds light on his playing career with Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline Athletic, Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr, and his remarkable rise to success as a manager.