Ferguson 'happy' at Bologna as he targets return from injury

Lewis Ferguson hopes to still be in new head coach Vincenzo Italiano's plans when he recovers from long-term injury because the Scotland midfielder is "happy here" at Bologna.

Before suffering a cruciate ligament injury in April, the 24-year-old had been the subject of newspaper speculation linking him with a move to Juventus.

The reports have been dismissed by his agent and Ferguson told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound: "My full focus is just getting back to playing, but I am happy here. When you are happy, you play well.

"I settled in pretty quickly out here. I found myself living in a beautiful city, good people, good weather, good food and a great club and, last year, I played the best football I've played in my career."

Bologna finished third in Serie A to qualify for the Champions League - the first time they will play in Europe's top club competition since the 1964-65 season.

However, that success led to head coach Thiago Motta being poached by Juventus - and to speculation that Ferguson could follow until the injury that forced him to miss out on Scotland's Euro 2024 finals campaign.

Italiano has arrived having led Fiorentina to two Europa Conference League finals and one domestic cup final and Ferguson said: "Similar to us, they liked to play out from the back, very possession based, attacking, so hopefully I do fit into his plans.

"I had such a good time with Thiago Motta and I owe him so much. He trusted me from the minute he came in and played me in every game possible, but it is a fresh start with a new manager and I'm looking forward to work under him.

"We had such a good season. The manager was phenomenal - had us playing some really good football and obviously it was sad to see him go. He obviously wanted an opportunity elsewhere and you can't be angry at him for that."

Ferguson, who is happy with his progress following surgery and is targeting a return to action by the end of the year, expects Bologna to lose some star players this summer.

"Everybody played at a high level and I'm not surprised there's big clubs that are in trying to get some of the boys," he added.

"But I think we will keep that core group that we had last season and I'm sure we'll kick on next season and hopefully have another good season. We made the city come alive.

"We did an open top bus tour when we qualified for the Champions League and it was just such an amazing experience. The city was absolutely packed.

"Having those memories has given me the motivation to go back and be better."