Blackburn defender Lorenzo Amoruso, who moved to the Premiership recently from Scottish champions Rangers, is convinced that former teammate Barry Ferguson’s mooted transfer to the club will go through.
Rangers appeared to end Blackburn’s hopes of landing the Scottish international midfielder on Thursday by rejecting a £10-million bid from Rovers’ manager Graeme Souness — a former Rangers player who has also managed the Scottish giants.
However, Amoruso is convinced that Rangers captain Ferguson wants a taste of the Premiership action — and will head south of the border if Rangers fail in their bid to make it to the Champions League group stages.
”I’ve spoken to Barry a few times in the past week because Graeme Souness wants him to come down here. Graeme has made it clear to me that Barry is his number one target and I think this transfer will happen,” Amoruso said.
”Barry feels he needs a new challenge and a different motivation so, if Rangers do not qualify for the Champions League, then it will be hard for him to stay.”
Ferguson’s eventual transfer could now hinge on whether Rangers manage to overhaul a first leg 1-1 draw against FC Copenhagen in the qualifying round of the Champions League when they meet for a second-leg encounter.
Failure by Alex McLeish’s side to qualify for the group stages of the European competition would compound exisiting financial worries — and the sale of Ferguson could become more a necessity than an option.
Amoruso added: ”Obviously the result against Copenhagen has made it more likely to happen than ever because Barry needs the incentive of these big European nights.
”Scottish football can’t give him that excitement any more.” — Sapa-AFP