Boss plays game of patience over Bologna star Ferguson

STEVE CLARKE has revealed that midfielder Lewis Ferguson has been left out of the latest Scotland squad to allow him to bed in under a new manager at Bologna.

The 23-year-old has had a bumpy time since his £3million summer move from Aberdeen to Italy, featuring just once for the struggling Serie A side this season.

Serbian manager Sinisa Mihajlovic was sacked after five winless matches and the Bologna hierarchy have since appointed former Barcelona and PSG midfielder Thiago Motta to the head coach role.

The four-times capped Ferguson was unlikely to make Scotland’s starting XI for the Nations League matches against Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland anyway, and so Clarke has urged him to concentrate on impressing his new club boss.

‘I’ve spoken to

Lewis and he’s fine,’ said Clarke. ‘He’s gone to Bologna and didn’t know he was suspended initially and missed the first couple of games. Their manager was under pressure and he’s now lost his job. ‘I could have brought him across but I’ve got Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean coming back after missing out in the summer.

‘So I said to Lewis that it’s better for him to stay around at Bologna, impress the new manager and get a place in the team.

‘He is definitely one for the future for Scotland. I’ve no doubt he’ll be in the Bologna team soon enough.’

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