BARRY Ferguson is hoping Blues’ Carling Cup success will act as a springboard for Premier League improvement.

The incredible events of Wednesday’s semi-final against West Ham United still has everyone at the club buzzing.

And the achievement, plus such a feelgood factor, could be a positive in Blues’ battle against relegation.

Ferguson said: “It’s been an up-and-down season. Hopefully, this will kickstart us.

“There have been a lot of games we have started bad and finished strong, or started well and finished poorly.

“The other night was what we’ve been like this season, really. Hopefully this will get us going a wee bit because, for me, I train with the guys day in, day out and we have got a very good team.

“We need to start climbing the table, hopefully this will be the beginning for us to push up the league.”

Ferguson, who was such an influence in the second half as Blues got the required three goals to reach Wembley, says recent criticisms were ignored.

The players and Alex McLeish have come under fire and going into the semi-final on the back of a 5-0 battering by Manchester United hardly helped.

“I’ve grown up with criticism. It doesn’t really bother me,’’ said Ferguson.