Dominic Ball, who played alongside Lewis Ferguson and under Derek McInnes at Aberdeen, has revealed his belief that a move for Ferguson to Rangers would be a “statement signing” and a solid foundation for the club. Rangers have enquired about signing the Bologna midfielder, though the deal faces financial challenges. Ball highlighted the McInnes factor as a massive pull for the Scotland World Cup star.
Statement signing potential
“It would be a statement signing if they could make it happen,” Ball said. “He has played in the World Cup for Scotland. He is playing in one of the top leagues in the world and has done well there. If he could get Lewis, it would be incredible. I have thought Fergie would go there for years. It makes sense for everyone.”
Ball added that Ferguson might be happy to stay in Italy, but Rangers could be an option for the future. “I can see why Rangers would be interested, especially with Derek as manager,” he noted.
Strong relationship built on trust
Ball observed the bond between McInnes and Ferguson during their time at Aberdeen. McInnes signed Ferguson from Hamilton and developed him into a top talent. “Derek and Lewis have a strong relationship. Fergie came in as a really young player, just took over and got better and better,” Ball said. “That would help Rangers’ cause. Derek will know what he would get from Lewis. You need quality and a mental toughness. As a Rangers player, you need those things and Lewis has that in abundance.”
McInnes returned to Rangers as manager last summer, having previously turned them down while at Aberdeen. Ball admitted his shock return was a pleasant surprise. “After the season he had with Hearts last season, it was probably the right time for him to go to Rangers,” Ball explained. “I remember they were linked with Derek when I was there. I remember he took a couple of days to go and speak to them then. I did expect at that time Derek would go. It probably wasn’t right. Derek came back and it was good that he stayed because we had a really good end to the season and we qualified for Europe.”
McInnes' winning mentality
Ball, now at Cambridge, emphasized McInnes’ winning mentality. “You know what you get with him. He has that real determination to win. That was the biggest thing I took from my time at Aberdeen. I had lost that before when I had been trying to settle into different clubs. When I was at Aberdeen, he made it clear that winning was the most important thing. Yes, he also wanted performances but points and winning was the be-all and end-all.”
He added that McInnes understands the expectations at Rangers. “Derek will also know what it means to be Rangers manager and what is expected of him. He has been there and won titles as a player. You don’t understand how big a club Rangers are until you go in there. I didn’t know how big it was until I played up there. I love watching Rangers now because I know what it means to every single fan. It will be exciting.”
McCrorie signing and trust factor
McInnes has already signed another former Aberdeen stalwart, Ross McCrorie. Ball played with McCrorie at Rangers and praised the move. “I played against Ross loads of times. You know what you are going to get. He is similar to the manager in that respect. You will get 100 per cent, that willingness to work and determination to win. Ross also knows what it means to play for Rangers. It is a great move for him and I was buzzing for him when I heard the news. He is going back to Rangers with a lot of good experience. When I played with him, he was very young. But he was in and around the Rangers first team because he was a good player. For him, it is his dream move. Also the timing, Ross is coming into prime time in terms of his career. Ross can play across the back or in midfield and he is a top signing for Rangers.”
Ball believes McInnes will want more trusted players like McCrorie and Ferguson. “Once you know the players, what they can give you and you can trust them, then that is massive. Derek has always been quite big on that. When I first went to Aberdeen he probably didn’t trust me and it took me a long time to build that trust. Once you get the trust it is there for good.”
