Ferguson feels galvanised by Aberdeen virus furore
ABERDEEN midfielder Lewis Ferguson reckons the coronavirus turmoil has brought the players closer together, as demonstrated by a four-game winning run.
Ferguson scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in Sunday’s victory over Hibernian in the first game since all the furore from an ill-advised night out that saw eight Aberdeen players break health guidelines was finally laid to rest.
Following an opening-day Premiership loss to Rangers and the much-publicised fallout caused by the repentant Bruce Anderson, Craig Bryson, Sam Cosgrove, Michael Devlin, Jonny Hayes, Matty Kennedy, Dylan McGeouch and Scott McKenna going to a citycentre bar, the focus is once again firmly on football.
The international break may have come at the wrong time for Derek McInnes’ side after three of their matches were postponed as a result of the infringement, but Ferguson admits the whole episode has at least shown that the squad is united.
“The start of the season wasn’t ideal,” conceded Ferguson, who discovered yesterday that Aberdeen will face Viking FK in Norway in the second qualifying round of the Europa League on September 17.
“We just got going with the Rangers game then were shut right down for a few weeks and everyone at the club was at a real low.
“There was so much going on that we weren’t able to concentrate on football.
“We’re just starting back up to speed.
“There is a real togetherness and when the boys came back in everyone rallied together.
“The gaffer really wanted everyone to stick together as a team as we’d been through so much and it is shown on the pitch in the way we dig in and everyone fights for each other.
“That showed on Sunday and we deserved our win at a tough place.”
Meanwhile, Motherwell will play Glentoran away in second round qualifying of the Europa League.
The Steelmen face further Northern Irish opposition after they cruised past Glentoran at Fir Park last week.
Both Aberdeen and Motherwell’s single-leg ties will be played on September 17. to get