Hampden winner is still special, even if it sparked family feud
Ferguson recalls goal that upset his Rangers-supporting relations
LIt caused a bit of grief but I know secretly they were happy for me
AST week, Lewis Ferguson welcomed partner Lauren and eight-week-old baby daughter Lake to their new home in Italy. The current scene of domestic harmony is in stark contrast to the fall-out that followed Aberdeen’s last meeting with Rangers in a League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
In 2018, the Scotland midfielder scored a late winner as the Dons secured a meeting with Celtic in the final. The goal itself is a treasured memory. The angst it caused amongst his Rangerssupporting siblings and friends less so.
Son of former Ibrox midfielder Derek and nephew of ex-club captain Barry, Ferguson tells Sportsmail: ‘I had a few big moments at Aberdeen and scoring the winner against Rangers in that semi-final is definitely right up there.
‘It was a special day and a special occasion. It was my first big game at Hampden in a semi.
‘It was a big game for myself and to get the winner was brilliant. It caused a bit of grief at home because my older brothers are massive Rangers fans.
‘They were actually at the game and all my friends from Glasgow are big Rangers fans as well.
‘They were in the Rangers end and when I got home I had to sweet talk them for a wee while.
‘They were a wee bit upset, but they were delighted for me inside, even if the result for their team didn’t go their way.
‘It was a weird feeling when I got back in the house, but I know they were secretly happy for me.’
Ferguson left Aberdeen to join Bologna in a £3million deal last summer. In Serie A action against Udinese tomorrow, the 23-yearold hopes to catch the final stages of the game at Hampden on television. His life transformed over the last 12 months, baby daughter Lake could make other demands on his time.
‘This time last year I couldn’t have pictured the way my life is now, living in Italy and becoming a dad,’ he admits. ‘It’s been crazy.
‘My partner and wee girl have moved over now. Lauren was due on November 26 and I was going to be home because we had some time off for the World Cup.
‘But I was away with Scotland for the Turkey game and I got home to find she had gone into labour that day.
‘I got back just in time for the birth of the wee one in the early hours of the 18th. The timing was good.
‘I had a few weeks off and got to spend some time with the baby before I came back to Italy.’
So far his partner has taken care of the night feeds. On days off, the new dad pitches in with a helping hand. The twin demands of football and family could stymie his hopes of taking a walk down memory lane tomorrow.
‘Maybe after the Udinese game I’ll manage to catch a bit of Aberdeen-Rangers. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for it.
‘It’s a massive game for both teams and a game I was privileged to play in and be a part of before.
‘I hope the result we got four years ago will give Aberdeen a bit of confidence. It shows that it’s not impossible to go to Hampden and reach a cup final by beating Rangers.
‘They’ve also run Rangers really close at Pittodrie recently and would probably have won the (recent league) game but for a couple of late mistakes.’
Leading 2-1 after 94 minutes, Jim Goodwin’s side capitulated in the final moments back in December; conceding two goals as they slid to a calamitous 3-2 defeat. Coming days after an uninspiring home loss to Celtic, back-to-back defeats to the Old Firm raised fresh questions over the mental strength of the Pittodrie side.
‘They have to go with the right mentality and the belief they can win the game,’ adds Ferguson.
‘If you go in with the wrong mindset then nine times out of ten you are going to come out a loser. Mentality is going to be big. Aberdeen have to believe in themselves in this game.’
Ferguson expects the leadership qualities of his former captain Graeme Shinnie to help. The 31-year-old’s Pittodrie return on loan from Wigan helped end a run of defeats against St Johnstone last weekend. His influence against Rangers could be significant. ‘I played a season with him and I know he is a massive signing for the club to get back now,’ says Ferguson. ‘At that time, he was club captain and vocal, he was good in the dressing room and the kind of guy who led by example on the pitch. ‘Players around him played on his energy and his enthusiasm and I think fans feed off that as well. ‘He is one of those guys who will get in the faces of opponents, snap into tackles, give you energy and cover a lot of ground. ‘He is the kind of guy who will make others around him better and it’s a great signing for Aberdeen.’ After 13 games for Bologna, Ferguson’s own midfield qualities are already reported to be attracting admiring glances. Bigger clubs in Serie A, including Juventus, have already been linked with a move for the Scot.
‘It’s not a bad thing to see your name linked with stuff like that,’ says Ferguson. ‘It’s nice to see, but it’s paper talk right now. I’ve not heard anything, I just read it the same as everybody else.
‘Things are going well at Bologna. I’m really enjoying it.’
One of two young Scots to move to Serie A at the same time, he finally caught up with Josh Doig before Christmas.
‘I played against Josh in a friendly before Christmas and managed to get a wee chat with him. He seems to be doing really well too and I’m pleased for him.’
He’d be equally chuffed for one of his ex-managers if Derek McInnes could lead Kilmarnock to victory over Celtic in this evening’s first semi-final. Dons boss when he scored his winning goal against Rangers four years ago, Ferguson feels a debt of gratitude to the man who took him from Hamilton to Aberdeen.
‘It’s going to be a tough ask for Kilmarnock to go and win that game, but you know what Derek is like,’ he said.
‘He’ll set up his side to be hard to beat, they will be compact, they’ll have a gameplan and he will believe he can get a result.
‘I would love to see him get a result against Celtic. It would be brilliant to see them in the final.’