Scotland star Lewis Ferguson will reportedly "evaluate" his Bologna future after the World Cup, as he appears to fit the transfer vision of Derek McInnes at Rangers. The 26-year-old playmaker found regular minutes harder to come by last season in Italy, but he has been given a second chance at the club after boss Vincenzo Italiano left for Besiktas and was replaced by Domenico Tedesco.
Ferguson's Rangers Connection
Ferguson's father Derek and uncle Barry both played for Rangers, and it has previously been mentioned by the pair that the youngster was determined to follow in their footsteps before he left Aberdeen in 2022. The midfielder has been tipped with a switch to Ibrox this summer, and Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reports that Ferguson "has agreed with the management to review his situation" following the World Cup. It is claimed his "goal is to evaluate potential offers from top Italian or foreign clubs."
McInnes' Transfer Vision
Rangers legend Stuart McCall reckons that McInnes will have set clear rules over incoming players to the American owners at Ibrox as he looks to shake up the "culture." McCall told the Sunday Post: "The last two seasons they have missed big opportunities to go and win the league. Celtic have been as poor as I've seen them. But mentality is the word."
McCall added: "I've seen players laughing and joking on the pitch in the aftermath of losing a game or players high-fiving one another after a 3-0 win over a team at the bottom end of the table - and then coming up short a week later. That is a cultural problem. That is an issue within the culture of the dressing room. That kind of stuff just isn't on at Rangers."
Demanding the Right Mentality
McCall believes McInnes will demand recruits willing to "fight for the jersey and fight for everything." He said: "Any player who has signed for Rangers is capable of playing at a decent level, but it is about understanding it is more than that. You have to be prepared to fight for the jersey and fight for everything and that's the kind of spirit I think Del brings to the job."
McCall also stressed the importance of Scottish identity within the team: "I think that Scottish identity within the team can help. The mentality needs to shift. There has to be a willingness to run through a brick wall for this club and to bring success to it. That is what I think Derek will demand and players like Shankland will be vocal at instilling that in the dressing room. You need characters like that."
Skov Olsen's Exit Confirmed
One player that McInnes won't be welcoming back to Ibrox for pre-season training is Andreas Skov Olsen. The Ibrox side chose not to trigger the £8.6 million purchase clause in the loan deal after he arrived from Wolfsburg in January. Big things were expected from the Danish winger, but he played just seven Premiership games as a starter and scored once in a 5-1 win against Kilmarnock.
The Dane returned to the relegated Bundesliga outfit after the end of a disappointing season for Rangers, and has been told he has no future at the club. Turkish giants Besiktas are reportedly negotiating with Wolfsburg about whether to land Skov Olsen on a permanent move or try to secure another loan deal for the 26-year-old.
