Rangers Miss Out on Lewis Ferguson as Celtic's Transfer Strategy Praised

Lewis Ferguson was ready. Rangers, it seems, were not.

According to his father, former Ibrox midfielder Derek Ferguson, the Scotland international had agreed to join Rangers this summer, only for the move to stall before it ever reached Bologna’s desk. No formal offer. No negotiation. No transfer.

Speaking to Open Goal, Derek Ferguson revealed that his son, now 27 and established in Serie A, had been prepared to make the switch, but the Italian club never received a bid from Rangers. As far as he is concerned, that window has closed.

He does not see the deal being revived in January.

Raskin’s price tag and a January shop window

Rangers did at least try to cash in elsewhere. Besiktas came calling for Nicolas Raskin, but the Turkish side baulked at the numbers.

The Ibrox club were working off a valuation of around £20m for the 25-year-old Belgium midfielder. Besiktas did not get close. The result: Raskin stays, and the narrative flips.

Now, as Derek McInnes has pointed out, the onus is on the player. The manager believes Raskin must park the transfer talk, perform, and earn the kind of big-money move that might actually materialise in January.

Uncertain future for Souttar

One Rangers defender still waiting for clarity is John Souttar. A move away from Ibrox failed to come together before the deadline, leaving the 29-year-old Scotland centre-half in limbo.

Derek McInnes has promised to shed more light on Souttar’s situation early next week. For now, the centre-back remains a Rangers player, but his longer-term future is still hanging in the air.

Celtic’s missed target – and a manager delighted

Across the city, Celtic pushed hard for a midfielder of their own. They were prepared to pay around £9m for Gvidas Gineitis, but Torino stood firm.

The Italian club value the 22-year-old Lithuania international at closer to £13m. That gap proved too wide, and head coach Ignacio Abate is more than happy with the outcome. Torino keep their man; Celtic move on.

Sutton questions Emenalo loan

Celtic’s solution at left-back has raised eyebrows. Former striker Chris Sutton cannot understand why the champions turned to Landon Emenalo on loan from Chelsea.

The 18-year-old has yet to play a senior game for the London club, yet arrives as cover for Kieran Tierney. Sutton has questioned why Celtic overlooked domestic options such as Dundee United’s Will Ferry, Motherwell’s Emmanuel Longelo, or PAOK’s Greg Taylor in favour of a teenager with no first-team experience.

Strachan: Celtic business “phenomenal”

Not everyone is picking holes in Celtic’s window. Former manager Gordon Strachan has gone the other way, suggesting the Scottish champions’ recruitment “has been phenomenal” despite the criticism aimed at the board.

While supporters and pundits debate the balance of the squad, Strachan’s verdict is a pointed defence of a strategy that has again leaned on youth, potential and calculated risk.

Evans on the radar

Away from Glasgow, another Scot could be on the move. Steve Evans, the 63-year-old in charge of Bristol Rovers, is being monitored by Hibernian and Preston North End.

Both clubs are keeping an eye on their managerial situations. If either decides to make a change, Evans is in the frame.

So Rangers walk away from a ready-made deal for Lewis Ferguson, Celtic take heat for a left-back gamble while being praised for “phenomenal” business, and managers across the leagues wait for the next domino to fall. January already feels closer than the calendar suggests.