Disappointed uncle Barry Ferguson insists Rangers should have made their move for his nephew Lewis before he signed for Bologna last summer.
It was a busy summer at Ibrox as Gio van Bronckhorst and sporting director Ross Wilson worked to get The Light Blues ready for a Scottish Premiership title tilt with hopes to make a mark on the Champions League group stage. However, out of the seven summer first-team recruits, only Antonio Colak has made an impression at Rangers so far with the league campaign now in cold storage as the World Cup takes centre stage.
Ferguson Sr reckons the Ibrox decision-makers missed a trick when they failed to make an approach for his nephew Lewis before he left Aberdeen for a move to Serie A. Bologna snapped up the Scotland cap for a fee that could rise to £3m, and the 23-year-old is now making his mark on Italy having netted three goals so far from midfield this term.
When asked on The Go Radio Football Show if any hidden gems had been missed by Rangers, the former Ibrox captain said: "I think they missed out on one in summer. People will say I am just saying this because I am related to him, but my nephew who I thought would have been a right good buy for either of the Old Firm.
"I was very surprised that neither of them came in and showed any interest. He's went over to Bologna and it's great to see him start getting a couple of minutes.
"At this moment in time there is nobody else standing out. I think you are lucky if it was £2m-£3m they paid, and a couple of years ago it was Lyndon Dykes.
"I think there are good players that are worth the chance to take. I think if they don't work out you can sell them on for roughly the same price you would buy them in.
"I think it's a good market and you should always look closer to home. I know you've got to look down at England. abroad and in different markets. I generally like to stay in our game up here, but I also know finances dictate that as well."
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