Lewis Ferguson Bologna captaincy development amid Rangers transfer links and family verdict

Lewis Ferguson was back in his familiar role as captain of Bologna on Monday night despite agreeing to relinquishing the armband.

The Scotland midfielder was named Bologna skipper three years ago and famously led them to a historic 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final in May 2025, securing the club's first major trophy in 51 years.

However, his time as the designated team leader at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara appeared to be at an end when team-mate Riccardo Orsolini led the Rossoblu out on the opening weekend of the Serie A season.

Lewis Ferguson wearing the Bologna captain's armband during the 1-0 defeat by Atalanta in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) | Getty Images

New head coach Domenico Tedesco has installed a new leadership structure at the club with veteran defender Lorenzo De Silvestri now first-choice captain, long-serving Orsolini his deputy and Ferguson third in line.

De Silvestri did not start the 1-0 defeat against Lazio, which allowed Orsolini to take charge ahead of Ferguson.

However, Ferguson's days of captaining Bologna appear far from over after he regained the armband for the Serie A match away to Atalanta in the live BBC Alba clash on Monday night.

With both De Silvestri and Orsolini named on the bench, Ferguson was able to lead the team out, and he continued to wear the armband even after Orsolini was introduced on the hour mark.

Ferguson produced a typical all-action display and had the best chance for the visitors but saw his close range volley blocked by the legs of Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi in the first half.

The former Aberdeen man was unable to inspire Bologna to victory though as they went down to a last gasp 1-0 defeat with Lazar Samardžić scoring the winner for the hosts in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

But, for the second week running, Ferguson completed the full 90 minutes, suggesting that the 27-year-old remains a key part of Tedesco's plans despite his demotion from first-choice captain amid a summer of transfer speculation linking him with a move to Rangers.

The sight of Ferguson back wearing the Bologna armband will have pleased his father Derek after the former Rangers midfielder revealed he and his family had been left disappointed by the decision to give up the captaincy.

Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson, the father of Bologna and Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson. | SNS Group

"He's not been stripped of the captaincy," Ferguson senior told the All About The Gers podcast. "Riccardo Orsolini, who has been there for seven/eight years and has just signed a six year contract - so he is probably going to finish his career at Bologna - so him and De Silvestri, who is the club captain and looks after all the stuff off the pitch.

"So, Lewis has been the captain the last two/three years, and they approached him. They asked him if he would be willing to give up the captaincy to Riccardo, and the team player that Lewis is - because that is the type of player he is, he wants to make sure everybody is alright and looks after everybody - he says 'no problem, that is no problem'.

"I wish he maybe would have consulted me or his brothers, because I will be honest, I didn't want him to give the captaincy up - because that is something that he earned when he went over there.

"They had a look at him, and what he brings to the party - he is a real leader on the park. I said to him 'you shouldn't have given up the captaincy' and I look at Riccardo and I think he is not a leader, for me, he is a winger.

"You need to be a certain type, in my opinion. In my mind I have what a captain should be, and you don't look after yourself you make sure everyone else is right. When the chips are down you go after people, and I don't think Riccardo has got that in his locker. The thing is, Lewis has agreed to it.

"We are not too happy as a family, we are a bit upset - we hoped we would get a call to say 'what do you think of this?', but we never even got the call. He is dead relaxed about it.”

Addressing the Rangers transfer rumours, Ferguson snr added: “There was a conversation going on there, but I don't think there was a bid. That is what I am aware of. He was willing to come, I'll say it.”