Lewis Ferguson: The Bologna captain seeks his first victory over Celtic

Ferguson has had a difficult time since helping the national team qualify for the World Cup this summer, struggling to regularly force himself into Vincenzo Italiano’s starting XI while spending more time on the bench than he would like.

“It was a little frustrating because I’m not used to it,” he explained. “For the first time in my career, I’m not a starter, but that’s just football, ups and downs.

“I’m dealing with it and working away to get back into the team and when I’m there I’ll stay there.

“This is just another game, it hasn’t changed much. The same way we worked before. We need points. We prepared for the game the same way we always have.

He added, “Celtic is a difficult team, even if it goes through difficult moments. They have changed their coach several times this season, but they are a strong team.”

Obviously I played against them a few times, some good players and some of them are still there and I know that.”

Although no longer in Renato Dallara’s starting XI, Ferguson himself is unfazed by the potential impact on his chances of starting in this summer’s tournament in North America as he looks to exorcise the ghosts of the cruciate injury that cost him his dream of playing at Euro 2024.

“I did not have any conversations with him (coach Steve Clarke), and this is normal,” he said. “I’m not used to it, but it happens to everyone at some point.

“I missed the Euros and it was devastating, so this was a motivation and something to look forward to.

“Every other Scottish player will think the same thing.

“It’s never good to miss a major tournament due to such a major injury.

“But the World Cup is a bigger tournament, and it’s an exciting moment to be a Scottish player and supporter.”