Lewis vows to keep a lid on it
Dons star will cool celebrations
LEWIS Ferguson makes things happen. No fuss, no hassle. No diving headlong into the crowd to celebrate with mad abandon? Not just yet, anyway.
Ferguson, a player who ‘always influences the game’ according to Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes, has been crucial of late.
As they prepare to play in front of a Pittodrie crowd — okay, more of a gathering — for the first time since March 7, the Dons lean heavily on a 21-year-old of obvious talent and footballing wit.
And the control that marks the youngster’s performances will now extend to the thorny issue of how best to interact with 300 lucky fans advised to sit down, stop singing and, erm, enjoy this afternoon’s visit of Kilmarnock.
‘We’ve not been given any guidance but I’m sure we will have a chat about what we’re allowed to do and what we can’t,’ said a grinning Ferguson, when asked about potential goal celebrations.
‘We’re not going to be doing anything daft or putting anyone at risk. There definitely won’t be crowd surfing!’
It’s probably a good idea for Ferguson to have some sort of contingency plan for scoring, given his current streak.
He has scored in three games on the bounce, matching last season’s goals tally just five rounds into the new campaign.
Improving that side of his game was one of his targets for the new footballing year, with a constant push for self-improvement very much part of the former Accies kid’s appeal.
Under contract until 2024, entirely unfazed by so many — including his own uncle Barry, for goodness’ sake — linking him with clubs from the usual suspects (Rangers) to the altogether less obvious (Celtic), Ferguson has come roaring out of lockdown in dominant form.
Given the amount of football he’s already played in his short career, with even his curtailed 2019-20 season workload adding up to almost 40 games for Aberdeen and Scotland Under-21s, you might even think the rest has been a factor in his current performances. Just don’t suggest as much to the man himself.
‘It was a decent wee break although I never enjoyed it because I never played football — and that is what I enjoy doing,’ said Ferguson, the all-action midfielder only just tempering his natural enthusiasm as he added: ‘However, it was good for my body to get a rest.
‘My form has been good and I have managed to get on the score sheet a couple of times. I wanted to improve my scoring from last season because I didn’t score as much as I would have liked. I’ve matched that already.
‘I want the team to keep putting in winning performances that will put us in as high a place as possible in the league table. Then we will see how far we can go in Europe.’
Aberdeen won four on the bounce heading into the international break, which saw Ferguson play for Scot Gemmill’s Under-21s in the gritty 1-0 away win over Lithuania.
Having lost their opening game at home to Rangers, then lost a large chunk of their squad following the ‘Aberdeen Eight’ lockdownbreaking incident, McInnes’ men have found ways to win.
‘We didn’t have the best start to the season with everything that went on,’ said Ferguson. ‘But we managed to go on a nice wee run before the international break.
‘We have also got through to the next round in the Europa League, so confidence is high. We need to back those performances up with another run of games.’
Playing without supporters in attendance has been odd for everyone. Even 300 lucky punters will make a difference.
Ferguson revealed, though, that Aberdeen players hadn’t been allowed to bypass the open ballot and snaffle a few precious briefs for friends and family.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like,’ he said. ‘It won’t be what we’re used to but it’s a bit better than having no one.
‘Hopefully, we can get the three points for the fans who are there — and it is just a matter of time before we can get more fans in.
‘The boys asked Joe (Lewis, the Dons captain) but I don’t think we’re allowed to have family or friends there. It will be a while before that happens.’