Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd could only watch on in awe as Lewis Ferguson marked his first start since an ACL blow ended his Euro 2024 dreams during Scotland’s 1-0 win in Greece on Thursday night.
Back in Steve Clarke’s XI for the first time in 12 months, the Bologna captain ran the show.
Midfield partner and fellow Serie A colossus Scott McTominay may have scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot but, as far as Kris Boyd is concerned, Lewis Ferguson was the story. A tale of resilience from a man who has history when it comes to bouncing back from the sort of disappointments which may have claimed the careers of lesser men.
Son of Derek and nephew of Barry – the man currently in charge at Ibrox – Lewis Ferguson suffered the heartbreak of being let go by his beloved Rangers as a teenager. He came back stronger. Then came the cruel injury blow which scuppered his Euro hopes.
Again, he is using such frustration as fuel.
John Souttar, a teammate of his with Scotland, knows all too well what it is like to be consigned, months at a time, to the treatment table. The Rangers colossus will also be able to appreciate the fact that, following the journey both have been on, any successes in Ferguson’s career will taste that little bit sweeter from here on in.
John Souttar ‘immense’ as he and Lewis Ferguson help Scotland beat Greece
Back in 2021/22, Souttar missed no fewer than 50 Rangers matches as he was made to wait until March for his debut in that iconic blue shirt.
In total, throughout spells with The Gers and Hearts, Souttar has been absent for a staggering 230-plus games for club and country due to a painful cocktail of various niggles, knocks, strains and tears.
That he, at the age of 28, is now arguably the star centre-half for both Scotland and one of the two biggest clubs in the country is quite the achievement, then.
To cap a dream month for John Souttar – imperious over two legs against Fenerbahce and in Sunday’s 3-2 win at Celtic Park – the Rangers giant was ‘outstanding’ once again as Scotland triumphed in Athens.
“John Souttar and Grant Hanley were immense at centre back,” Boyd tells the Scottish Sun, Souttar actually the junior in an experienced and battle-scarred defensive partnership.
“Between them, they have had four ruptured Achilles in their careers. That can be the end for some players but they have both put in the hard yards to get back into the Scotland team.
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“Souttar, after colossal displays against Fenerbahce and Celtic, was rock-solid against Greece and is now the number one central defender.”
Boyd says Souttar deserves so much credit after Euro 2024 snub
The Aberdeen-born stopper was, like Ferguson, denied a seat on the plane to Germany during the European Championships. Clarke felt he had sufficient cover at centre-half, with an ’emotional’ Souttar the odd one out as he was cut from the initial provisional squad.
“It’s been less than a year since he missed out on the Euros squad,” Boyd points out. “But you would never know with the way he’s bounced back.
“Souttar’s own story is incredible but you can look through that entire Scotland squad and see a similar theme.”
