Rangers' Champions League opponents' near-miss with Scotland star rules out his Ibrox return

Former Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson has admitted he passed up a crack at the Champions League to sign for Bologna in Serie A – and could have been making a swift return to Scotland.

Royale Unione Saint-Gilloise, who face Rangers in the third round of Champions League qualifying next week pitched a bid to sign the 22-year-old before the draw was made.

Ferguson though plumped for Italy and subsequently missed out on a quick return to Ibrox, where he had been frequently linked though family ties with ad Derek and uncle Barry.

“I had a wee laugh and texted my agent Bill McMurdo when I saw the Champions League draw.

Lewis Ferguson swapped Aberdeen for Bologna this summer. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

“There were a few options in Europe and USG was one. It would have been a good experience to play against Rangers in a Champions League qualifier. Ultimately, I feel I made the right choice by coming to Italy with Bologna.”

Ferguson had interest right across the continent and across Italy this summer. Sardinians Cagliari kept a close eye last season and last year Watford and Millwall also had offers rejected by Aberdeen, but English football remains an ambition once the 22-year-old has fulfilled another of his aims.

Ferguson (centre) has replaced his fellow international Aaron Hickey (right) as Bologna's Scotsman. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

“One of my main goals is to play in the Premier League in England,” he told The Scottish Daily Mail. “Another was to play in a top overseas league and try life in a different country, be it Spain, Germany or Italy.

“I wanted to try a top-five league and, by coming to Bologna, I hope I can develop into a much better player than I am just now.”