Dad will be a Don for the day, insists Ferguson

A FORMER Ibrox favourite who won three League Cups and two Scottish titles in a Rangers jersey, there can be little doubt where Derek Ferguson’s loyalties usually lie. Yet, when his old side take on bitter rivals Aberdeen on Sunday, this dyed-inthe-wool bluenose is set to become a temporary new conscript to the Red Army. For one day only. At Hampden, his son Lewis will take centre stage for the Dons in their hotlyanticipated Betfred Cup semi-final against Rangers. And with blood thicker than water, at least on this occasion, the 19-year-old midfielder provided his dad a ticket... for the Aberdeen end. ‘My dad will always support me and I think he’ll be in the Aberdeen end — well, hopefully, because I’ll be the one getting him tickets,’ said the summer signing from Hamilton. ‘My dad supports me no matter what. But I’ve been getting stick off my brothers and my pals about it. ‘They are all Rangers fans, so I’ve been having banter with them. They wind me up and I wind them up. ‘Hopefully I can go and put one over them and have the last laugh.’ While Derek Ferguson has five winners’ medals from his Ibrox career, his brother Barry won five Scottish titles, five Scottish Cups and five League Cups in the Light Blue. Sunday will be the biggest game of Lewis’s career and he hopes to follow in his famous family’s footsteps by hoisting aloft silverware. ‘I’ve never been involved in a semi-final before,’ he said. ‘It’s a massive game, I’m really excited. ‘I’ve also never played at Hampden before, so I’m buzzing about experiencing the occasion. ‘I joined this club because success here is winning trophies. This is a step towards where this club want to be — in cup finals and cup semi-finals. ‘Hopefully we can go and perform against Rangers and get into the final.’ Meanwhile, Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is delighted to welcome back Scott McKenna, even if he does not know which Rangers player his young defender will be marking. The 21-year-old was hit with a two-game ban by the SFA for a challenge on Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, and sat out the clashes with St Mirren and Hearts. He will return to the Dons defence at Hampden, but with Rangers missing the suspended Alfredo Morelos and the cup-tied Kyle Lafferty, McInnes is unsure who the young Don will be up against. ‘Scott will be back in his normal place, which is great as he has quickly become an important player for us,’ said the Dons manager. ‘Who do I expect him to be up against on Sunday? I’ve no idea!’