Fergie is as big a talent as Christie
BY EUAN McLEAN GRAEME SHINNIE has revealed he’s only seen a classy kid like Lewis Ferguson once before – Celtic star Ryan Christie.
Now the Aberdeen skipper is tipping his young team-mate to live up to his potential too as Ferguson prepares to pen a new five-year contract.
Shinnie already knew the prodigy was highly rated when he was lured away from Hamilton this summer for a bargain £200,000 development fee.
But he didn’t expect him to be this good as the Pittodrie captain has seen the 19-year-old establish himself as a mainstay in the team.
Perhaps it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise considering the football dynasty from which he hails, with dad Derek and uncle Barry both former Rangers heroes.
Shinnie said: “I always thought Ryan Christie, when we were at Inverness, was going to be a massive talent and he has gone on to do really well.
“Lewis has been a breath of fresh air. For such a young guy he’s come into a big club like Aberdeen from Hamilton and took control which shows maturity.
“I don’t think I was fully aware about his ability, his maturity and composure before he came.
“He’s a strong boy for a young lad and has slotted in so well.
“He’s not afraid to put in a tackle which has taken the heat off me with the yellow cards!” JAKE HASTIE may be in a hurry to make his name in the game but he insists he is in no rush to quit Motherwell.
Hastie is adamant he is fully committed to the Steelmen.
Leeds and Sunderland have both been credited with an interest in the 19 year-old.
But the teenager is locked in talks with the Fir Park club over a new deal.
He revealed he hopes to put pen to paper within the next fortnight and join fellow youngsters David Turnbull and James Scott who signed deals to keep them at Fir Park until 2022.
Hastie said: “My agent is still in talks so hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
“I definitely want to stay here. I’m playing football and that’s the main thing.
“I’m still only 19. I’ve still got a lot to learn about the game and this is the best place to do it. It can be a bit frustrating but I’m just letting my agent deal with it.
“I know some players have gone down south young and it hasn’t worked out so being here just now is the best place for me.
“I just want to keep doing what I have been and keep playing well.
“I’ve said before, I came up all the way through with David since we were nine and playing together is even better right at the top.
“I’m over the moon right now, I’m really happy. You can’t beat it honestly.”
Motherwell boss Steve Robinson credited Alloa manager Jim Goodwin for turning Hastie from a boy into a man during a loan spell at the Championship club earlier this season.
Hastie agrees although he admits never in his wildest dreams did he believe he would make such a huge impact on the first team.
He said: “I felt I matured when I went out on loan, especially from playing in front of crowds.
“If you aren’t playing well