Lewis Ferguson reveals the classy Steve Clarke offer that shows exactly who the Scotland boss really is

Resilient Lewis Ferguson has paid a glowing tribute to Scotland boss Steve Clarke for his weighty support in the wake of the injury nightmare which rocked his world.

The 24-year-old was basking in the glow of a brilliant season with Champions League-chasing Bologna but disaster struck in the form of a serious knee injury. The all-action midfielder was being tracked by Serie A heavyweights Milan, Juventus and Napoli in a £20m-plus deal and he had all but booked his ticket to star at Euro 2024 for his country.

But Ferguson – who fought back tears before he underwent surgery – has revealed the classy nature of Clarke and how a caring touch from Nathan Patterson resulted in him returning the favour shortly after. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ferguson said: "Just after the news broke, he (Clarke) gave me a call just to wish me well and speak to me. He gave me his support and said if I needed anything or needed to talk or chat the offer was there. 'He said he was devastated for me with such a big summer coming up.

"It's nice to feel the support of everybody, even if it's not a nice time. All the players in the squad got in touch urging me to keep the head up. I spoke to Nathan Patterson when he messaged me in hospital wishing me well. I then watched his game against Chelsea the next day and he got injured as well.

"That was devastating for him and I felt for him because you spend a couple of years looking forward to the possibility of playing at the Euros, we do so well in qualification and you are waiting for the summer when it's all taken away from you. It's difficult to accept, but I have come round now and started to accept that it's life as a footballer. The manager said to me that if I wanted to come over to Germany and