Scott may see me as a kid but I’ll never shirk a tackle.. I like dirty side of game
SAYS LEWIS FERGUSON
Polite, respectful and quiet off the pitch.
Ruthless, focused and edgy on it. That’s Lewis Ferguson.
It’s exactly why Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes and the club’s supporters already love the 19-year-old so much.
When he was plucked from Hamilton Accies – for a fee set by tribunal – even the manager didn’t expect him to make an immediate impact.
He had signed experienced midfielders like Stephen Gleeson and Chris Forrester that Ferguson could learn from.
Instead, the Glasgow-born teenager barged his way straight to the front of the queue and is now established as one of the Dons’ key players.
Ferguson isn’t willing to stand on ceremony for anyone.
Away from the park, he shows a maturity beyond his years and a steely determination to get to the very top.
He’s unfazed by glamour games or big-name opponents.
Celtic skipper Scott Brown and Swedish international Mikael Lustig could testify to that after their scuffle in the Betfred Cup Final.
Ferguson admits himself that he’s got a bit of bite and he’s backed it up this season, not just with quality performances but with huge, decisive goals.
His overhead kick against Burnley in the Europa League, the cup semi-final header against Rangers and the late free-kick winner at Kilmarnock are just a few of those strikes.
Ferguson, who was released by Rangers as a kid, is excelling under McInnes at Pittodrie.
Despite the humble persona, you get the impression that nothing will stand in his way.
Reflecting on his battle with Brown at Hampden, for instance, he said: “I’ve always had that edge, that bite in my game. I like a tackle and won’t stand down for anybody, no matter who it is.
“That’s a side of the game I like. When me and him were having a go at each other, I didn’t mind it. It’s part of football.
“He probably respects that too. He’s an experienced player.
“I don’t know if maybe he sees me as a young boy or whatever. I’m out there to do a job and if there’s a tackle to be won, I won’t back down from it. I quite enjoy the dirty side of the game.”
When Ferguson arrived at Pittodrie, most people thought it would take him a bit of time to settle.
As soon as McInnes clapped eyes on in association with Ladbrokes him in training, he knew that he had to be in his team.
Summer buys l ike Gleeson and Forrester are now playing second fiddle to the Scotland Under-21 star.
The son of ex- Rangers and Hearts player Derek, and nephew of Ibrox icon Barry, said: “When I came in, my only objective was to get into the starting 11.
“I worked as hard as I could, kept my head down and I’ve never looked back since my first game.
“I knew that I needed to make a quick impression. It was different to when I was at Hamilton.
“I was going up against top players, guys like Niall McGinn, who has 50 caps for Northern Ireland and Scott McKenna, who captained Scotland in the summer.
“I was looking around and seeing a lot of big players but I knew if I worked and showed that wee bit of quality, I’d find my way into the team.
“I don’t feel the pressure of big games. They’re all similar to me, whether it’s getting three points or going through to the next round of the cup.
“Nothing will faze me. When I was at Hamilton, it was smaller crowds so I never had that nervous feeling.
“My f i r st ga me for Aberdeen against Burnley was massive but I enjoyed it. I wasn’t nervous at all.
“I le a r ned f rom t he experience and kicked on. I feel most comfortable when I’m out on the park playing.
“Maybe I get that from my dad or uncle. “I’ve been brought up with football my whole life. My two older brothers played, my dad played, it was all football for me.
“I’ve been kicking a ball since I could walk so I really don’t see it as a place to get nervous.
“I just relax and play. When I got here, the manager and Tony Docherty didn’t complicate things for me.
“They would have wee chats but there was never too much information. They just told me to go out and play – and that’s what I did.
“My dad also tells me to watch certain games or players on TV to help me pick up good habits.
“It’s the same at training with the more experienced boys at this club like Graeme Shinnie.
“You can even do it with opponents, like the Burnley players, some of the wee
I like a tackle and won’t stand down – no matter who it is
movements they’d make. It might be tiny things but if I can pick up on them, the small differences will improve my game.”
Of course, there are still things in Ferguson’s game to work on.
But his knack of coming up with crucial goals in big moments looks to be a natural instinct – especially his two spectacular scissor-kick strikes against Burnley and Livingston.
That kind of contribution has made him a vital player for McInnes, even if he’s too modest to admit it himself.
Ferguson said: “I don’t like talking myself up – I just see myself as another player in the squad.
“The overhead kicks? I’d never actually scored one before the goal I got in the away leg at Burnley.
“I scored a few down the park playing with my pals or my brothers.
“That was a bit of a surprise. I never thought I’d try it in a big game like that and I still don’t know why I did it.
“But I got confidence from it – that’s why I’ve tried it again.”