There is a sense that teams like Celtic should value domestic talent a lot more.
In recent years, Celtic have missed out on some big players from under their noses, including Aston Villa captain John McGinn.
Lewis Ferguson is another one who is thriving abroad, with the midfielder’s uncle and dad representing Rangers during their careers.
Steven Naismith has coached Ferguson at Scotland, and he thinks the chance for the Bologna star to play for Celtic or Rangers has now gone.
Should Celtic sign Lewis Ferguson despite Rangers connection?
Celtic and Rangers have missed their chance to sign Lewis Ferguson
Celtic have been linked with Ferguson in recent times, and it has made for an interesting discussion because he has Rangers blood.
But Naismith, who has watched the 26-year-old up close and personal, thinks he is worthy of playing for an English Premier League side.
Speaking on The Warm-Up, Naismith added that Celtic and Rangers have now missed the chance to sign the all-action midfielder because he has ‘bypassed’ what they can provide.
Naismith: “I think Fergie is the type of player people won’t appreciate until he has gone. He’s still young, and he is going.
“But people just think he’s a midfielder and industrious. But he has got really good quality. A really good passer of the ball. The trait of happy to get stuck in, get a tackle and leave a wee bit on the players and not be bullied, which is good.”
Kris Boyd: “Where could you see his next step?”
Naismith: “I think he could play in the Premier League. He’s playing in Europe with Bologna. He’s the captain of Bologna.
“You see his intelligence as a midfielder. When you are playing with different midfielders. Some might lack discipline. Some might not get forward enough. His intelligence to go right, ‘I am required to do that job’ is outstanding. He is somebody who goes below the radar, but has real quality.”
Boyd: “Should Rangers or Celtic look at him? Do you think they can afford him?”
Naismith: “I don’t think he goes there now. I think he has bypassed that now. He is somebody, similar to John McGinn, but why are Rangers and Celtic (not buying him)?
“At the time he was at Aberdeen, he probably looked as if, ‘no, he isn’t good enough for Celtic or Rangers.’
“Like John, Celtic weren’t willing to pay the money. Two of them have gone on to have brilliant careers.”
Other Ferguson-like players who are brewing in the SPFL
Celtic were searching long and hard for fresh faces during the January transfer window, and all of their players came from outside of Scotland.
But there were a few players, currently playing in Scotland, who people thought Celtic should have tried to lure to their club.
Albeit not Scottish, Tawanda Maswanhise was the main topic of discussion, but there are other players around the circuit who Celtic should be looking at in the summer.
- David Watson (Kilmarnock, midfielder)
- Josh Mulligan (Hibernian, midfielder)
- Calvin Miller (Falkirk, winger)
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