Lewis Ferguson is delighted to have a former Celtic captain lining up beside him today at Parkhead.
But the Aberdeen midfielder admits the current Hoops skipper is just as tough to play against.
The 22-year-old admits it will feel a bit odd turning up in Glasgow’s east end with Scott Brown on the same side as him for once.
But even together for the Dons, Ferguson knows they’ll have their work cut out trying to stop Callum McGregor running the show for the Hoops.
He’s got to know the Celtic captain much better this season, by training and playing with him in the Scotland squad.
Ferguson believes he’s under-appreciated for club and country and says no-one should doubt McGregor’s ability. He’s filled Brown’s boots at Parkhead since the legendary No.8 left for Pittodrie in the summer.
And the Aberdeen ace knows that if he’s to fulfil his own potential at club and international level, McGregor is a standard bearer for him to aim at.
As he prepared for the trip to Celtic Park this afternoon, Ferguson said: “It will be strange going there with Scott on my side. We’re so used to him being on the opposite team when we go to that stadium.
“I’m sure it’ll be a bit strange for him too. But he’s been good for us.
“He’s an experienced guy who played at the top level, hundreds of games, Champions League, winning trophies – he’s done everything in Scottish football. So to have somebody like that next to you can’t do any harm, only good.
“He’s always on at me but that makes me a better player and a
better person.”
So who is harder to play against, Brown or McGregor?
Ferguson says: “I don’t want to answer that! Callum’s a really good player. For the last three years, I’ve played directly against him.
“And he’s pretty underrated in what he does. He’s such a good footballer, who rarely gives the ball away.
“He’s so neat and tidy, he’s quick and gets about the pitch. Everything about him is top class. So it will be a difficult game against him.
“I rate him so highly, as everybody in Scotland should. He goes under the radar a bit.
“Playing for Celtic, the forward players get more of the credit and the plaudits when they’re winning.
“With Scotland, it’s maybe the same. But he does his job and executes game plans perfectly. He’s just a really good midfield player and a tough opponent.
“Callum is a starter for Scotland in most games so that’s the standard I need to reach.
“I look up to guys like him and think, that’s the level. He’s the benchmark I need to reach to become a starter for my country.
“Going away with Scotland has helped me. Training with these guys, I’m in with loads of big names, top-class Premier League players.
“You see their habits even away from training, like in the gym, when you’re in their company.
“They’re at the level I want to reach. It gives me an insight into what it takes to get there. Hopefully I can pick up some of those habits.
“But the only way I get in the Scotland squad is by performing well for Aberdeen.”
And going up against Celtic normally brings out the best in Ferguson, individually at least.
He’s already scored FIVE goals against the Hoops – but is still without a win.
He’s praying that changes this afternoon and, after an up and down campaign for
Stephen Glass’ side so far, he wants a win over Celtic to spark a run of good results.
Ferguson said: “It’s always difficult against them, especially going down to Parkhead.
“But I’m positive we can go there and get a result. I’ve scored plenty of goals against them but never been on the winning side. That just shows the attacking threat they have.
“They always carry that and their front three at the moment are certainly producing.
“We need to keep them quiet and be good defensively. Hopefully I can get another goal – and maybe we can win this time.
“Our consistency as a team has to turn now. We had a good start to the season before hitting a bad patch.
“We’ve shown good signs but the results have dropped off. We now need to go on a run where we pick up points.
“And that needs to start now. We’ve managed to do better in the bigger games this season so we need the same this time.”
Aberdeen scored twice early at Ibrox against Rangers last month and earned a 2-2 draw.
Ferguson doesn’t doubt they can cause Celtic problems but says if they’re going to take anything back to the Granite City, they’ll have to be solid defensively against the likes of in-form duo Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota.
He said: “The gaffer will have a plan for us to execute. But we need to be strong defensively, as you have to be in every game against Celtic.
“Their front players are a threat so we need to be 100 per cent concentrated if we’re going to get anything.
“Offensively, we can score against any team. But it’s the defence we need to focus on if we’re going to get a good result.”
