Colin Hendry has urged Rangers to make an audacious move for Lewis Ferguson this summer amid the 'homegrown' Ibrox recruitment drive. The Light Blues have stated they will focus on players with SPFL experience as Danny Rohl looks to bring silverware back to the club.
Hendry's Déjà Vu
The vision has already seen Lawrence Shankland arrive from Hearts, and Hendry has a feeling of déjà vu about the summer masterplan at his former club. Speaking to Record Sport via BestBettingSites.co.uk, he said: 'It's very similar to when I signed for Rangers back in 98 when I was leaving Blackburn. There was an exodus of people; Walter Smith had gone, Coistie left. The new manager came in, and I spoke to David Murray, and he just said, listen, we want to put a little bit of Scottish identity back into the team.'
'So it's a little bit similar to that situation, I think, possibly. The fans would like to see a bit more homegrown. And the thing about it is as well, it's not an objection to foreign players because the foreign players were very, very good for Rangers in the period when I played for them. But understanding what it means to play for the club, I think that's the biggest thing that a lot of people from outwith Scotland don't maybe understand.'
Ferguson Fits the Template
Hendry reckons Bologna skipper Ferguson would fit the template required. The 26-year-old made regular starts in the Europa League this term but mainly featured off the bench in Serie A. His dad Derek and uncle Barry both turned out for the Light Blues, and it has previously been mentioned that the youngster was determined to follow in their footsteps when he left Aberdeen in 2022, but the approach never came.
His agent Bill McMurdo has distanced the player from a move at this stage of his career, but Hendry, who knows the player and his family, has told the club to 'consider' testing the player's resolve. He added: 'Lewis Ferguson, again, my son Callum played with Lewis up at Aberdeen when he was on loan there from St Johnstone. I know his dad, and I know his uncle, obviously. And it's a shame, I think Lewis had a serious injury a couple of years back. I think he was on the radar of the bigger clubs in Italy. He was set to go to a big, big club in Italy, and because of the injury, he didn't make it. So, but listen, it's another name to consider. And it would be: he's had good experience behind him playing in the top Italian league, and being a success as well.'
Eyes on Young Talent
'Braveheart' also has an eye on Rangers kid Findlay Curtis as the 19-year-old looks to make an impact at the World Cup with Scotland. He reckons the prospect can establish himself in Govan next term after a successful stint on loan at Kilmarnock. Hendry added: 'Certainly when he goes back to Rangers, I would expect him to be starting after what he's done at Kilmarnock in the second half of the season. If he can show his ability consistently at Rangers, then I would expect him to at least be a figure in the initial stages and see how things go from there.'
