Lewis Ferguson has ended the guessing game over a possible Rangers transfer, insisting talks over a summer move to Ibrox never got close.
The Bologna captain addressed the speculation directly, saying interest from Rangers never developed into anything concrete despite weeks of transfer talk linking him with a return to Govan.
Speaking ahead of Scotland’s Nations League fixture, Ferguson explained how the summer had unfolded from his side.
“I had a long think after the World Cup and a bit of time on holiday where I thought about my future.”
“I was a little bit unsure but nothing was ever really that close (with Rangers) to be honest. When I went back to pre-season with Bologna, we had a new manager and it was like a fresh start again, although we have since changed (the manager) again.”
Ferguson outlines Bologna commitment and Rangers youth past
Ferguson’s connection to Rangers runs deep. He came through the club’s youth academy before senior moves took him to Hamilton and then Aberdeen, where he became a first-team regular. He left Scottish football for Bologna in 2022 and has since captained the Serie A club.
His Dad, Derek, and uncle, Barry, are both former players at Ibrox, and wear their allegiance to the club like a badge of honour.
That background explains why speculation over a Lewis Ferguson Rangers transfer draws such attention among the Ibrox support.
Yet he made clear his focus stayed with Bologna once the transfer window shut.
“I had a long think about my future and what that was going to look like and in the end it was still at Bologna. I’ve loved every moment that I have had there so it was just about continuing that journey and seeing where it takes me.”
Fans can find more on his rise through the ranks in our insights into youth academy development, and the background on the summer speculation features in our earlier report.
Midfield dynamics and Derek McInnes’s squad context
The picture Ferguson paints adds more colour to claims made elsewhere.
Derek Ferguson said that Lewis effectively verbally agreed terms to join Rangers, while later acknowledging that the “ship has sailed” on any deal happening anytime soon.
Those remain Derek Ferguson’s own claims, and he stressed that he wasn’t speaking on behalf of his son.
Rangers continue under the management of Derek McInnes, who had Lewis Ferguson under his command at Aberdeen.
He has his own options to weigh in central midfield regardless of the speculation.
At present, the engine room looks settled, and it’s doubtful if that is an area the club will look to address in January.
Future Ibrox ambitions remain open for Bologna captain
Despite closing the door on reports of a summer switch, Ferguson has not ruled out representing Rangers again in future.
Asked about the prospect, he pointed back to his upbringing as a Rangers supporter and the family ties that shaped him, saying the idea of a future switch is an attractive prospect that has stayed with him since childhood.
“I think one day (he will play for Rangers). It’s no secret that I grew up a fan and my family is involved in the club. It was a dream and an aspiration of mine as a kid and that’s not changed.”
He was careful to stress that Bologna remains his priority while he is still under contract there.
“But I don’t want to speak about that while I am still a player at Bologna as I have got too much respect for them. But in the future you never know. It might happen or might not but it’s always been something in my mind.”
Full details on his comments are available via the Daily Record interview.
Comments.
Loading comments…