Lewis Ferguson confident second chance with Scotland will come

Lewis Ferguson is confident he will get a second chance at going to a major tournament with Scotland after injury denied him a place in the squad for Euro 2024.

The former Aberdeen midfielder featured in the friendlies back in March under Steve Clarke, but was ruled out after picking up a knee injury with current side Bologna.

He has thrived in Italy so far this season, breaking Aberdonian Denis Law’s Serie A goal tally and captaining I Rossoblu to Champions League football.

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But now it’s all about patience and focusing on recovery for the Hamilton-born midfielder, who issued an update on his ongoing recovery.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Ferguson said: “Sometimes you need to be patient. At club level, I’ve been performing really well. At international level, I’ve had to be patient.

“The lads that are playing in midfield at the minute have done a fantastic job. It’s probably the strongest part of our team, of our squad.

“I’m quite happy within myself. I know that my time will come and it’s just about whether I can take it or not.”

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Ferguson, named midfielder of the year in Serie A, is expected to return to the pitch near the end of 2024, and he said he is getting closer to his return with ‘small steps.’

He explained: “I’ve still got about four months, five months until I can be back on the pitch playing again. I just set a little target in my head every day, every couple of days and just try and hit it.

“I’m really positive about the recovery process. It will be a long journey but I just can’t wait to get back out and do what I love again.”

Despite the disappointment of missing out on Euro 2024, the former Dons ace is confident that it won’t be his last shot at reaching a major tournament with Scotland.

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He added: “I’m pretty positive that it won’t be [the last finals] for this team. It’s such a good group of lads. Good quality all over the pitch, good manager, good staff.

“We’re pushing in the right direction, we’re all pushing in the same direction. Everyone loves going away with the national team. It’s always such a positive place to be.

“That’s the aim – to qualify for every tournament. We want to be a team that goes to the Euros, goes to the World Cup. It’s hard work but I’m positive this squad can do it.”