Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson continues to lean on his father, Derek Ferguson, for guidance regarding his football career, even admitting he might ultimately disregard the advice. The younger Ferguson, currently plying his trade with Serie A club Bologna, shared insights into his career path and his relationship with his father during a recent conversation.
A Father’s Perspective from the Sidelines
Derek Ferguson recounted an amusing incident during a pre-season friendly match between Bologna and Pisa. While observing his son train, he overheard two football executives discussing Lewis. One remarked that the Scottish midfielder should be playing for Rangers. Derek, present as a supportive father, chose to remain silent, a decision Lewis later acknowledged with a chuckle.
The executives in question were identified as Pisa owner Alexander Knaster and the club’s sporting director, Leonardo Gabbanini. Gabbanini had previously been the chief scout at Watford and had attempted to sign Lewis when he was playing for Aberdeen. Lewis noted the irony of the situation, having only interacted with Gabbanini over the phone previously.
Derek Ferguson emphasized his role as a supportive spectator, adhering to Lewis’s preference for him not to interfere from the sidelines. “I’m there as a fan,” Derek stated. “It’s a great thing for me because I can let go a wee bit and I can enjoy it, supporting him and supporting Bologna. Being there at the game, I’m excited. I love the atmosphere.” He described his presence at the stadium, overlooking Bologna’s Renato Dall’Ara, as a “strange feeling, an amazing feeling, it’s almost religious.”
Life in Italy and World Cup Reflections
Lewis Ferguson has settled well into life in Italy with his wife, Lauren, and their two young daughters, Lake and Lorena. His eldest daughter, Lake, is becoming bilingual, attending an international nursery in Bologna and exhibiting her growing command of both English and Italian.
Reflecting on Scotland’s recent World Cup campaign, Ferguson described the experience as “bittersweet.” While he cherished the camaraderie and the overall experience of being part of the squad, he expressed a sense of regret that the team couldn’t achieve more. “There’s a wee bit of regret there, a wee bit of bitterness that I feel we didn’t quite show the best version of ourselves and I would have just loved for us to be able to continue and get through to the next round,” he said.
Ferguson believes the squad possessed the quality and team spirit to advance from their group. He attributed the disappointment not to external pressure, but to the high expectations the players placed on themselves. “We expect a lot of ourselves, we put the pressure on ourselves to do that because, when you look around the dressing room and you see the quality we’ve got, that sort of team spirit that’s unmatched, I expected us to get through the group,” he explained.
Navigating Future Career Decisions
Looking ahead, Lewis Ferguson is approaching his future career decisions with careful consideration. He confirmed he would always seek his father’s opinion, valuing his extensive experience in football. “I’ll always ask his opinion,” Lewis stated. “I’ll always ask his advice, whether I agree with it or not.” He acknowledged that there have been instances where he has disagreed with his father’s counsel but maintained that he always wants to hear his perspective.
Derek Ferguson expressed confidence in his son’s ability to make the right choices, highlighting Lewis’s strong mindset and adaptability. “He’ll be 27 in a week or so and I think, the way he is, he’ll play into his late thirties because he can play different roles,” Derek observed. “So it’s about looking out there for different challenges and that’s what I love about him. I’ll say one thing and he’ll take it on board but if he thinks he should go in the other direction that’s what he’ll do. He’s strong minded.”
Bologna Contract and Transfer Speculation
Ferguson currently has two years remaining on his contract with Bologna, with an option for a third year. He expressed contentment with his current situation but remains open to new opportunities. “I’m happy here and I feel at home but then I’m always open to any other opportunities. I would listen to what they have to say and that’s whenever,” he said.
He views his move to Bologna four years ago as a pivotal step in his career, feeling he has contributed significantly to the club’s recent success. “It’s the most successful Bologna have been in a long, long time,” Ferguson noted. “He’s very driven. He knows where he wants to go and I’m just enjoying the journey.”
Regarding transfer speculation, Ferguson stated that he has become accustomed to rumors circulating during transfer windows since he was a teenager. He prioritizes focusing on concrete interest rather than media reports. “I’ve got used to the outside noise about where I’m supposed to be going next. Every transfer window, since I was 18 or 19, there have always been links with other clubs being spoken about back home. What’s said in the media is fine but it’s never going to affect me or what I do,” he asserted. “The only time I start to think about it is when there’s something concrete and there’s real interest.”
Derek Ferguson recalled that when Lewis left Aberdeen, other Italian clubs were interested, and he had initially guided his son in that direction. However, Lewis ultimately chose Bologna based on a “gut feeling,” a decision Derek now views as highly successful.
