Proud dad Del eyeing a big festive season
With his son responsible for getting Aberdeen into the Betfred Cup Final against Celtic on December 2, next month is huge for Derek Ferguson.
But he also sees it as being pivotal in the pursuit of the Premiership title.
The Dons, buoyed by his boy Lewis’ performances, Kilmarnock, Hibs and Rangers all have the chance to take points from table-topping Celtic during December.
And Ferguson feels that if Steven Gerrard’s men can defeat the champions in the Old Firm clash at Ibrox on December 29, the Light Blues really will be title contenders.
The former Hearts and Rangers midfielder told The Sunday Post: “This season has been absolutely brilliant to date, and Rangers deserve credit for hanging right in there when they have also had European games to contend with.
“You then have to applaud Hearts, Kilmarnock and Livingston for taking points from Celtic.
“But it’s there for all to see that Celtic are back in gear, and playing the kind of football we have come to expect from Brendan Rodgers and his players.
“When it comes to the crunch, they always deliver. They have the mentality to get results when the pressure is on them.
“Rangers need to show they can also do that. They have been very good at Ibrox, but inconsistent away from home.
“They really need to win the next Old Firm game. A draw isn’t good enough, and I wouldn’t fancy them to recover from a defeat.
“Brendan Rodgers has never lost to them, and it’s been more than twoand-half years since Rangers won an Old Firm game.
“That isn’t good enough. “Celtic’s win in the last Old Firm game was as comfortable as I can remember Celtic having. Rangers never laid a finger on them.
“So it’s vital Rangers put doubt in Celtic’s mind. That could give us a nailbiting title race, the closest we’ve seen in the best part of a decade.
“I think Rangers need to be within three points of Celtic going into the break. If the gap is six or more by then, eight-in-a-row is as good as in the bag.
“We will also see what both sides do during the January transfer window.
“Celtic can spend big on a couple of top-quality players if they feel the need to do so. Rangers simply don’t have the same financial muscle. “That is a major factor. “Injuries and suspensions are also playing a big part in how this season is unfolding.
“Hearts were flying at the start of the campaign, but have tailed off in the past couple of weeks, suffering cruel luck with injuries to key players.
“Hibs have to play the Old Firm in the next few weeks, and that will have everyone on the edge of their seats. Neil Lennon’s men have been playing attractive football and deserve credit.
“The same applies to St Johnstone and Kilmarnock.
“Tommy Wright and Steve Clarke just keep producing the goods and their teams are a credit to them. Their players know their jobs inside out.
“Aberdeen have started to creep up the table. It’s been a great month for them after beating Rangers in the semi-final, and getting three straight wins in the league.
“I don’t think they have been playing very attractive football, but they are managing to get wins when they are not at their best.
“Derek McInnes and his players deserve to be applauded for doing the nasty side of the game so well, and nicking a goal here and there.
“Obviously, it’s been great for me to see Lewis settle in so well at Aberdeen, and score a couple of important goals in recent weeks.
“He’s really enjoying it, and has responded to what’s been asked of him by Derek McInnes and the coaching staff.
“But they all know the team has to show improvements in certain areas.
“I think James Wilson and Stevie May need to show more. They are both talented, but it’s not been going their way.
“They owe it to their manager to start finding their best form.”