Scotland star OUT of Euro 2024 as he suffers devastating cruciate knee injury
LEWIS FERGUSON'S Euro dream looks to be OVER after a horror weekend injury for Bologna.
The Scotland star captains the Serie A side and set the record for Scots scoring in Serie A earlier this season.
His incredible form has even seen giants JUVENTUS and Napoli linked with a sensational move for the 24-year-old.
But all that has been plunged into jeopardy as he was crocked in his side's draw with Monza.
Ferguson was subbed off an hour into the scoreless stalemate and tests have revealed the worst.
A Bologna statement this afternoon confirmed the bad news that the ex-Aberdeen and Hamilton middle man will need an op.
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It read: "The tests to which Lewis Ferguson underwent following the sprained trauma to his right knee highlighted the injury to the cruciate ligament.
"The player will undergo surgery after which recovery times will be defined."
Ferguson was appointed club captain by boss Thiago Motta last year.
The Brazilian boss is a huge fan of Ferguson and has himself been linked with a move to Turin.
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That in turn has led to links with the midfielder.
It will be a HUGE blow to Steve Clarke's Euro plans to lose a player of his calibre.
He had to make do without Kenny McLean for the Euro 2020 campaign and Kieran Tierney for the Czech Republic opener.
And the gaffer will be cursing his bad luck again at the latest blow for Fergie.
In most other era's the Bologna skipper would be the first name on the teamsheet.
But such is the strength of Scotland's current midfield Ferguson has admitted he has struggled to dislodge some of his international team-mates.
Last month he said: "It’s probably the best midfield we have had in a long, long time.
“It’s difficult to get as many minutes as I want. But I am patient, I am laid-back and I am not getting frustrated or beat up about it.
“I am a positive guy. I’m just trying to work as hard as I can and do my best to catch the manager’s eye. There’s not much more I can do.
“I am enjoying myself over there. I am performing well and the team is playing at a really good level at the moment.
“It’s difficult to break into this team because of the quality and depth we’ve got — especially in midfield.”
He impressed Italians and Scots alike with his command of the language - giving post-match interviews in fluent Italian, and he insists the switch to Serie A has been of HUGE benefit.
Ferguson added: “I have improved in every single aspect of my game. When you go to Italy it’s really tactical so that side of my game has definitely improved. Sometimes matches in Serie A are like a game of chess and it’s fine margins.
“I have really started to think about the game, think about my position and what could happen. It’s just these minor details that have made all the difference.
“I am trying to add these aspects to my game.
“Technically, on the ball, I have improved too. The manager wants us to play, it’s really possession-based and you get a lot of touches of the ball.
“Off the pitch, in terms of the lifestyle, I think it has really suited me.
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“The culture, the language. I think when you move to another country it’s so important to learn the language and that’s what I have tried to do.
“It improves you as a player and as a person and I don’t think there’s any doubt I have grown as a person since moving to Italy.”