Lewis Ferguson has opened up on why he desperately wants to get back to Hampden with Aberdeen.
The Dons take on Hearts tonight in a crucial League Cup quarter-final bout. Derek McInnes’ side reached the League Cup final last year, but were beaten comfortably by Celtic.
A disappointing final for Aberdeen. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Ferguson admits that he wants some Glasgow redemption for his side and hopes to progress past Hearts to try and get some.
He told the Daily Record (page 53, 25/09/19): “I’d love to get back to Hampden, back in the games on the big stage. There have been a lot of highs and a few lows in my time here and the cup final last year was one of the lows.
“We had to do it the hard way by putting Rangers out in the semi before playing Celtic in the final and we played really well in that game. Celtic edged it that day and it was massively disappointing. The performance was there from us but they got the goal and the win.
Ferguson wants to make amends for previous Aberdeen failings at Hampden. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“To not win that game when there is so much at stake and the League Cup is sitting there as you walk out, it’s all you can think about before the game starts. I just wanted to get my hands on it.”
A tough Hearts bout awaits Aberdeen and Ferguson first
The 20-year-old had a mixed time at Hampden last year. The highs came in a League Cup semi-final clash with Rangers, where he netted the winner to seal a final berth.
Lows were to follow though on his next two visits. They were beaten by Celtic in the League Cup final, before he was sent off in Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic.
Ferguson saw red against Celtic in the Scottish Cup. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
He clearly wants to make amends for previous shortcomings but first a tough trip to Tynecastle awaits them. Riding high off an Edinburgh Derby win, the Jambos will have some confidence ahead of the game.
Aberdeen haven’t won on any of their last four visits to Gorgie, so they know how hard a place it is to go. McInnes’ men, regardless of Hearts’ overall form, will have to be at the top of their game at Tynecastle.
Ferguson wants Hampden redemption, but he must help secure a Gorgie victory first of all.