"Darren has taken a bit of criticism but people have to remember he is only 21 and was out of the game for almost two years [with a knee ligament injury] and showed great determination just to come back from that," said Ferguson. "Young lads like Darren are the future of our club and we do not want to destroy them. I am not interested in the criticism but it is not easy for any young player to perform at their best when they are being criticised.
"These lads have not cried off and they have not deserted their posts just because of all the injuries among the experienced lads. They have wanted to play every game and they have carried us through this bad spell."