The name Lewis Ferguson is enough to make even the most temperamental Rangers fan wince.
The ex-Aberdeen midfielder, 25, is the nephew of former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson and the son of ex-Ibrox midfielder Derek Ferguson.
Having been shunned by the Gers at academy level, Lewis Ferguson came through at Hamilton and then Aberdeen before earning a blockbuster move to Bologna two years ago.
Rangers’ failure to capture the midfielder is a source of immense frustration amongst fans and now Lewis has been adding insult to injury by confirming precisely where his loyalties lie.
Lewis Ferguson beams ‘I’m a Rangers fan’
Lewis Ferguson was one of the key driving forces behind Bologna earning a spot in this season’s Champions League.
The Italian Serie A side finished fifth in the division last campaign but this summer saw their squad raided by the Premier League with Arsenal swooping for Riccardo Calafiori and Man United signing Joshua Zirkzee.
Lewis Ferguson might’ve been amongst that number had the Bologna star not been struck down by a devastating cruciate ligament injury in May.
Speaking to Corriere di Bologna about his own ambitions, Ferguson is clear that it’s his ultimate ambition to play in the Premier League.
But at the same time the ex-Dons midfielder admits that it’s the famous Glasgow Rangers where his loyalties lie.
“It’s normal for big clubs to notice you if you play well, and that’s what happened to them,” said Ferguson.
“The departures of Zirkzee and Calafiori didn’t surprise me: they had a fantastic season.
“I’m happy for both of them, playing in the Premier League remains my dream, I don’t know when but I want to get there.
“In Scotland I’ve always been a Rangers fan, in England I’ve always followed Chelsea: Frank Lampard played there, he was an idol.”
Boyhood bluenose ‘would’ve walked to Rangers’
The comments of Lewis Ferguson will only add insult to injury for Rangers fans who wanted to see the midfielder signed back in the summer of 2022.
Eventually agreeing a deal with Bologna, the transfer failure has been the subject of much discussion over the last few years as the Gers’ homegrown options dwindle.
Speaking about the situation, the player’s uncle Barry Ferguson has claimed that not just sign for Rangers, Lewis would’ve walked to Ibrox if asked.
“I get asked so much from Rangers fans ‘how did we not sign your nephew’?” Barry Ferguson told GO Radio. “There was no interest, he would’ve walked there. He would’ve walked to Rangers.
“But you look now. He’s went over to Italy, he had a good first season, this season he’s went up a level and now you’re talking £20m and upwards.
“And you know what, he deserves it because he’s went away and he’s worked hard, he’s went into a different environment, away from the family, he’s knuckled down. I think his game’s improved.”
