LEWIS Ferguson was born ready to be a professional footballer.
After all, it’s in the genes of Aberdeen’s 19-year-old midfielder, what with dad Derek and Uncle Barry both not just former players but two outstanding talents who enjoyed fantastic careers.
But background only takes anyone so far, the rest is down to the individual, and with such a famous name, young Lewis knew he perhaps had to do that bit more to prove to any manager he was worth taking on.
This attitude did not go unnoticed.
Derek McInnes didn’t know who Ferguson was related to when he went along to a junior game a few years ago and first clapped eyes on him.
What he did work out right away was that the lanky lad at Hamilton Academical could play a bit. The rest is history.
“Although I didn’t know Lewis, I thought I did and I thought I knew what I was getting,” said McInnes.
“I watched him playing for Hamilton’s youth teams against my youth teams at times at times and he always left a wee impression.
“I liked his narkiness at times as well, that disappointment and rage when his team didn’t win. I liked his confidence and strength, as well as all the technical stuff on his left and right foot.
I actually remember the first time we watched Fergie in a youth game, and this was a couple of years ago, and it took me a while before I worked out whether he was left or right footed.
“That probably says a lot about me right enough!
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“It was just the way he received the ball, a couple of switches of play, he is just a natural player. The way he runs, heads, tackles and kicks. Everything he does seems natural.”
Aberdeen were the only club in for Ferguson when about a year ago he refused to sign a new deal with Hamilton.
What were the rest thinking?
The 19-year-old has been a revelation in what has been his first full season as a pro.
He is favourite to be named young player of the year, an honour which would be topped by beating Celtic on Sunday and reaching the Scottish Cup semi-final
“It’s quite a big thing for Lewis to come away from his family, he moved into a flat up here and had to deal with that,” said his manager.
“But from the first day, we did a testing and he was right up there, and I have a fit team. He looked like a boy who was ready to play, ready to show his team-mates what he was about. It looked as if he had been preparing for that first day.
“First impressions are important. He was coming into a successful squad with a lot of good players and he would have been thinking about that first day.
“He just got on with it and he’s been getting on with it ever since.
“I remember being in Ireland and Joe Lewis turning to me and saying: ‘I really like him.’
“Lewis got the players’ approval right away which is important because there is a culture here about how we work, how operate and go about our gym work so we can become stronger and quicker. Lewis got that right away.
“He has had a really strong first season, which has been recognised, and it’s now about dealing with expectation. For me, Lewis is a boy who gets unfazed by anything. He is so laidback. He deals with everything in his stride.”
McInnes should take credit as well for the way he has handled such a young talent. Ferguson doesn’t turn 20 until August, so there is plenty still to come.
“The potential is enormous because while I’ve played him in different positions, I see him as someone who can score 15,16,17 goals from midfield every season,” said McInnes.
“Lewis is a good finisher, good in the air and has great energy. He is capable of even more and that’s the exciting part of it.”
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