Alan Shearer didn't hesitate when naming the footballer who he had 'no doubt' was harder than Roy Keane

Alan Shearer says there's 'no doubt' who was a harder footballer than Manchester United legend Roy Keane.

The feud between Shearer and Keane will go down as one of the fiercest rivalries in Premier League history.

They had an explosive on-field bust-up during a league fixture back in 2001, with Keane picking up a red card after squaring up to Shearer.

Keane was viewed as the ultimate Premier League hardman, but Shearer reckons there was another footballer harder than the Irishman.

The Newcastle United legend reckons Duncan Ferguson is 'no doubt' harder than the ex-Man United captain, revealing the towering Scot was the hardest player he came across in his storied career.

Asked who was harder between Keane and Ferguson, he told SPORTbible: "There’s no doubt about it... 'Big Dunc'."

Duncan Ferguson celebrates with Alan Shearer after a Newcastle United goal. Image: Getty

Shearer added: "'Big Dunc’s the hardest player I’ve come across - both playing against and for.

"I was lucky enough to play with him at Newcastle and stand alongside him in the tunnel. He had such a presence and other teams were petrified of him.

"He was as hard as they come. Both on the pitch and off the pitch. He has this aura around him doesn’t he, you wouldn’t want to push him to ask him again – you'd just say, ‘OK, no problem Dunc.

"To have him on your side, it was a lot better having him on it than off it. You definitely wouldn’t want to go in a fight with 'Big Dunc' that’s for sure."

Ferguson, who began his career in Scotland, enjoyed two seasons at Newcastle and played alongside Shearer. He scored 12 goals in 40 games across all competitions before leaving St. James' Park.

But he'll be remembered for his two spells at Everton, where he scored a combined 72 goals during his time at Goodison Park.