When debating the finest central midfielder in the whole of Scotland, the discussion usually wouldn’t stretch beyond King’s Park.
Glen Kamara or Callum McGregor? The evergreen Steven Davis or the majestic David Turnbull?
According to Christian Ramirez, however, ‘the best box-to-box midfielder in the league’ does not ply his trade in Glasgow at all.
He’s based some 150 miles north instead, snapping into tackles, pulling the strings and setting the tempo at Pittodrie rather than Parkhead.
“Fergie (Lewis Ferguson) is the best box-to-box midfielder in the league,” says Aberdeen’s USA international striker, scorer of eight goals in 18 Scottish Premiership games this season (Press and Journal).
“He plays with a certain swagger. Its obvious when you see him when he brings that kind of swagger onto the field. He has that confidence.”
Is Lewis Ferguson Scotland’s best midfielder?
Such brazen self-belief is not without cause.
Ferguson continues to shine in difficult circumstances under Stephen Glass, scoring seven goals in 23 games from central midfield.
The nephew of Premiership legend Barry Ferguson is making a name for himself in his own right in Dons’ red.
When Rangers tried to lure Ferguson away from Aberdeen at the start of the summer transfer window, according to The Sun, there were doubts about where the Scotland U21 international would fit in under Steven Gerrard.
Would he be a regular in the Rangers’ midfield? Or merely someone capable of padding out an already well-stocked squad?
How long can Aberdeen keep Ferguson?
Ferguson handed in a transfer request and was also the subject of a £2 million bid from Premier League newcomers Watford.
So the under-pressure Glass was understandably delighted to see his prized asset stay put. And Ferguson’s form over the last few weeks suggests that he has not been negatively affected by a summer of intense speculation.
“We’ve still got Lewis at the club so we’re delighted about that,” beamed Derek McInnes’ replacement.
“To me, his commitment level is there and nobody should question it.
“What’s happened has happened but he’s an Aberdeen player until further notice, the same with all our players.
“Our players will be in demand so it’s not a shock that people want to buy our players, but the valuation has to be right for the club or they stay and play for us until that is met.”
Aberdeen described Watford’s £2 million bid as ‘insulting’ in May. One wonders how much it would take now to lure the ‘best midfielder in the league’ away from Pittodrie.
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