FOOTBALL: ABERDEEN IN BID FOR GERS STAR FERGIE

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Sep 26, 1999 | by RAY HEPBURN

ABERDEEN have made a pounds 500,000 bid for Rangers midfield star Ian Ferguson.

The former Scotland man is out of contract at the end of the season and that should be enough to tempt Rangers.

All that remains for Dons" boss Ebbe Skovdahl is to convince Ferguson that Pittodrie is the place for him.

He has already tried and failed to lure Derek McInnes away from Rangers, as he attempts to arrest Aberdeen's disastrous form flump.

But with that experience behind him, Skovdahl will know the kind of package that will be needed to grab Fergie.

It's been a frustrating season for the 32-year-old with a place on the bench seemingly the best he can expect.

With Barry Ferguson in such superb form for club and country, a return to his favourite right side of midfield is unlikely.

Aberdeen's improved display against Dundee United last week when they went down 2-1, has encouraged everyone at Pittodrie.

And Skovdahl is determined to try and build a momentum round that progress to steer the club away from bottom place.

To bring in an experienced man like Ferguson, with all his grit and determination would give the whole club a lift.

Ibrox chairman David Murray is keen to shed some squad players and Dons offer is certain to be acceptable.

But Hearts too, are keeping a close eye on developments and Jim Jefferies will soon have the budget to compete.

Meanwhile MICHAEL MOLS'S, international propects will be put on the line on Tuesday when Rangers take their Champions' League hopes to Eindhoven.

Mols is on the fringe of Dutch boss Frank Rijkard's plans and is desperate to make his Euro 2000 squad for the tournament, to be staged with Belgium next summer.

Since moving to Rangers, Rijkard has ignored Mols but finding the net against PSV to keep alive Rangers' Champions League hope would do the striker no harm at all.

"I am sure that Michael will get his chance," admitted team mate, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who has forced his way back into Rijkard"s plans after being snubbed following his transfer from Feyernoord.

"I had the same problem when I came to Scotland but after a couple of months I eventually got my chance.

"The same will happen for Michael because he is playing very well for us and he'll get his chance -- then it will be up to him to prove that he is good enough for the side.

"I think that Rijkard will be at our game on Tuesday and that Michael will be working hard to impress him."

Advocaat flew out to Eindhoven last night for PSV's game with Willem II to get some final pointers towards Tuesday's showdown.

The Gers boss has already highlighted strikers Luc Nilis and Ruud van Nistelrooy as dangermen.