Lewis Ferguson admits Rangers rejection still hurts but midfielder now loving life at Bologna

Lewis Ferguson admits his heartbreaking release from Rangers as a teenager still hurts.

The midfielder was on the books at Ibrox as a youngster but was binned at 14 after being told he wasn't good enough. Fergie's dad, Derek, and uncle, Barry, both played for the Light Blues as the family connection runs deep with the Govan club. However, after using the rejection from his boyhood club as fuel to prove people wrong, Ferguson made a name for himself at Aberdeen after making the breakthrough at Hamilton Accies.

An impressive four years at Pittodrie caught the eye of Serie A high-flyers Bologna and Ferguson has since led the Italians into the Champions League. Now recovered from a nightmare knee injury, the 25-year-old has opened up on the formative years of his career.

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He told Serie A uncut: "I was born into football with my uncle and my father. When I was young it was always football in the house. Leaving Rangers was one of the most difficult points in my career. At 14, I was told I wasn't good enough to play for them.

"It was a club I had strong connections with through my family and it was the team I supported. But I used the disappointment as motivation to prove people wrong. To become a footballer was my dream.

"Coming from a football family helped in terms of if I need to ask questions or in situations they have experience of. I took my own path and really used that disappointment at 14 as motivation to become as good a player as I possibly can."

Fergie's mind was set on a switch to ambitious Bologna after a chat with Aaron Hickey. The Scotland right-back spent two years at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara before completing a money-spinning switch to Brentford just days before Ferguson's arrival.

He said: "When the interest was there from Bologna back in 2022, I knew Aaron from the Scotland set-up. I was away with the national team at the time when I heard of the interest from Bologna.

"Of course I spoke to Aaron about the move and everything he said was positive. He said what to expect was good people, a good club, great fans, a really nice city - and a football team that can help you grow and become a better player. Everything he said was true, as I have loved it here the last two years."