Derek McInnes and Lewis Ferguson

Reaction to Lewis signing on

Manager: “There was no real urgency to do it, but there was a real desire from myself, the club and Lewis and his family. We all agree the move’s went really well for him and us and we want that to continue. We took advantage of the opportunity to extend the contract and it’s a reflection how he’s dealt with the move. He’s come from Hamilton to Aberdeen and become a key player in my team and the contract reflects that and how he’s adjusted to that in his performances. We feel there’s only going to be those improvements going forward. He’s been brilliant to work with in a short period of time and we’re hoping that can continue. It’s difficult retaining good players and we’ve managed to do it successfully over the past few years.

“We’re looking for Lewis to keep improving and to try get as much experience as he can in an Aberdeen shirt by playing in Europe regularly, winning cup finals – not just taking part in them and being at the top end of the table. He’s handled everything that’s come his way brilliantly and the contract is a reflection of how well he’s done.

“There’s a maturity about him and part of the attraction before you sign him is you think you know the boy, but you’re yet to work with him. That’s just been reinforced. While we’re pleasantly surprised at how well he’s done I think there’s always a feeling quietly from the staff and myself that he would be one that once he got in the team would be very difficult to leave out. That’s the way it’s played out and he’s contributed brilliantly. He’s had a few headlines by scoring goals and different types of goals, but anybody that knows the game can actually see his performances are a very high standard even when he’s not catching the headlines.”

Starting Pittodrie career in the best way

Lewis: “It was a good way to introduce myself (scoring against Burnley), but the moment I came in here I felt comfortable with the staff and the boys and they were all brand new with me. I knew Mikey Devlin as he was my club captain before I came here so that helped me settle in well with the dressing room. I was then looking to kick on and scoring that goal helped me.

Developing at Aberdeen

Lewis: “The manager’s helped me massively and he’s gave me that confidence to go out and play my own game. He tells me to take everyone as it comes and to work hard in training, prepare for the game so when it comes to game day I’m ready to go out there and perform.”

His dad Derek Ferguson revealing the new contract

Lewis: “I slaughtered him a bit and my brothers wound him up so he wasn’t too happy about it. We just seen it as a laugh and he wasn’t happy about it!

Manager: “In Derek’s defence it’s just a Dad being really pleased. A lot of players Dad’s don’t work in the media and he’s been a huge supporter of Lewis being here and the family know how well we’ve looked after him and how happy he is here. It was just a parent happy about where his boy is and there’s no harm done.”

Ambitions for Lewis in the game

Manager “I think first things first it’s important he knuckles down and plays in our team as he’s done that this season and need to try to sustain that. I know Alex (McLeish) will be keeping tabs on all good Scottish players who are doing well and that’ll come to him in time. There’s no banging the drum to get him in the Scotland squad at the moment, but I certainly think that’s where his future will be (playing regularly for Scotland), and hopefully that’s on the back of being a very strong Aberdeen player for a period of time.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the season

Lewis: “We didn’t ever see it as a title race and wouldn’t get too carried away. Nothing’s really changed and we’re just taking every game as it comes on a Saturday to try and get three points.”
Reaction from the St Mirren match and looking to St Johnstone.

Lewis: “It was tough on Saturday. St Mirren came up with a game plan and fair play to them. They carried it out really well and it was difficult. We’re part to blame for that performance as we were poor. St Johnstone will likely be a similar opponent, as they did that when they won up here in December. They’ll sit in, allow us to have the ball and counter us and will see their chances from set pieces or counters. We expect a better performance for ourselves.

Manager: “I think we had a few things to contend with. Giving away the penalty kick was the start of it and it gave St Mirren something to hold onto and we felt we gifted both goals. Two goals should be enough to beat St Mirren at home and should be enough to beat most teams at home. We were guilty of allowing them more opportunities than they should have, but you’ve got to say it’s not all about our own performance. There’s another team trying to stop you and impose their game on you and I thought for the majority St Mirren done that very well. We should have still won the game if we didn’t gift the goals. We had a few things to contend with, Tommie’s injury and making those little adjustments and we always felt we were pushing the game and trying to get ourselves back into it.

“It was a missed opportunity, but there’s plenty games left and we’ve now got an opportunity to get those three points back against a team who are doing very well.”

St Johnstone

“Tommy’s (Wright) recruited well and they’ve probably got more legs in them this season. They’ve still got that experience and know-how and battle hardened players so it will be a tough game. St Johnstone normally go on a run where they can lose a few games and then win a few games. They got a good point and a very good performance last Saturday so we know it will be difficult. The intention is to make it difficult for them.”

Scottish Cup Quarter-Final draw

“If you want to win a cup you’re going to have to beat good teams. Regardless of who got through it was always going to be a tough game for us. Rangers had a very convincing win last night and we’ll look forward to that game when it comes around. We’ve got a couple of league games prior to that where we want to go into the cup game in good form. We’ve got to knuckle down and get that level of performance and go into the game (against Rangers) on the back of picking up six points. Then it will be a very exciting tie when it comes round. The game here a couple of weeks ago had a bit of everything in it and a bit too much drama for my liking, but in terms of the performance it was good. If we can get something close to that hopefully we can be good enough to get through to a Semi-Final. That’ll take care of itself when it comes around.”

Comments about sectarianism in football

Manager: “It’s always important to highlight it. Steve’s felt strongly to come out and give his say on it and it’s disappointing (to hear). Managers get abused up and down the country regardless of the sectarianism or whatever. I’ve said this before but just because supporters pay their way to get into a stadium doesn’t give them the God given right to act and say what they want. It needs to be highlighted more and people in the media have got to (do something) if they hear it. It shouldn’t be left to a manager and it should be reported on through radio, TV, newspapers and you (the media) have an obligation as well to highlight poor behaviour. It’s disappointing, but it’s no real surprise. I’m from Paisley and brought up around a lot of what Stevie’s talking about and if he feels strong enough then quite right, he should voice his opinion.”

Role of the supporters

Manager: “That can be difficult in the circumstances especially when the numbers are vast. I do think everybody can do more from the clubs, supporters and you’re just taking what’s happening in society into a football ground. Everybody’s got a responsibility to act in the correct manner. Unless there’s real penalties against individuals or against clubs then it’s very difficult at times for supporters who are in the minority to challenge that behaviour. I’m been involved in Scottish football for 30 odd years now as a player and manager and I don’t think it’s got any worse, but I don’t think it’s got much better there.”

Potential for foreign referees to be brought into the league

Manager: “I don’t know where that’s came from and it wasn’t mentioned at any manager’s meetings that we’ve been at. Whether it’s a reaction to one or two things that have been going on recently I don’t know. I don’t think it’s necessary to be honest, but I haven’t had any discussions or heard anything other than what I’ve just heard over the last day or two.

“There’s no doubting referees have a tough job especially when they’re working and going into their day to day environment there can be a lot of pressure, but that’s the pressure they sign up for. That’s the job and I’ve never felt going into a game that I’ve managed that the referee has been biased in one way or another. You can criticise or question what goes on in a game, but once we start thinking the referees are biased in one way or another then the game’s done. I don’t think there’s any need to put any more pressure on referees that’s already on them at the minute.”

Team and injury news

Manager: “You can’t recall a player and once he’s out on loan he’s out on loan. We always look at the players who are free agents when the window closes in different positions. We’ve got a couple of injuries and suspensions in the one area of the team at the minute, which isn’t great. We’ll have McKenna back after Saturday, but Shay’s a doubt for the game. If we think there’s somebody out there who can help us and give enough cover and options then we’ll maybe look to do that.”

Tommie Hoban Injury

Manager: “I think it’s right we just say how sorry we are for him. If ever a boy has deserved a decent crack at the whip it’s him. He does everything right and everything to the letter and it’s a reminder to players that your career can go so quickly and injuries can play a huge part in it. He does everything right. He’s in the gym an hour before training doing everything right to set himself up. He’s come back from serious injuries before and this is the first on this knee which is so ridiculously unlucky to have to deal with this one. If there’s any sort of fairness and decency then he’ll get a fair crack at it when he comes back from this injury.

“There’s boys out there who you question if they do everything right and really appreciate everything they’ve got as a footballer. That boy does and it’s so harsh on him that he’s having to deal with another injury. He had threatened to show in his brief spells both in training and in the game how good a player he is. We feel for him, we’ll support him. He’ll go and get the operation and Watford will pick it up from there, but there will always be a place for him once he’s back up and running if there’s an option to do so.”