Lewis Ferguson: Bologna captain seeks first win over Celtic

Ferguson has had a challenging time since helping the national side qualify for this summer’s World Cup as he struggles to regularly force himself into Vincenzo Italiano’s starting XI with more time spent on the bench than he would like.

“It’s been a bit of a frustration as I’m not used to it,” he explained. “For the first time in my career I’m not a regular starter but that’s just football, ups and downs.

“I’m dealing with it and working away to get back into the team and when I’m in there, staying there.

“This is just another game, it doesn’t change much. In the same way we work before. We need the points. We have prepared for the game the same way as we have always done.

“Celtic is a tough team even if they’ve had a difficult moment. They’ve changed coach a few times this season but they’re a strong side.

“I’ve obviously played against them many times, some good players and some who are still there and I know.”

Despite no longer being a guaranteed starter at the Renato Dall’Ara, Ferguson himself is not perturbed by the potential impact on his prospects of starting at this summer’s tournament in North America as he looks to exorcise the ghosts of the cruciate injury that cost him his dream of playing at Euro 2024.

“I’ve not had any conversations with him (head coach Steve Clarke), it’s normal, ” he said. “I’m not used to it but it happens to everybody at some point.

“I missed out on the Euros which was devastating, so that’s there as a motivation and something to look forward to.

“Every other Scottish player will be thinking the same thing.

“It’s never nice to miss out on a major tournament with such a major injury.

“But, the World Cup’s an even bigger tournament and it’s an exciting time to be a Scotland player and Scotland fan.”