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Ferguson has started four of Bologna's six Europa League games but only nine of the club's 21 Serie A outings this season Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson is targeting a first win over Celtic when the Italian side host the Scottish champions in the penultimate round of Europa League league phase fixtures on Thursday. The Scotland midfielder has played against Celtic 16 times in his career, once with Hamilton Academical, the others at Aberdeen. While there have been 13 defeats in that run, Ferguson has scored seven goals in those matches. "I've never really thought about it, every time I've faced them they've been a good team, " said the 26-year-old. "At Aberdeen we had a good team but didn't quite have enough so it would be good to change that stat. "It was probably the first game I looked to when I saw the draw. "Obviously it's Celtic, it's nice to play a Scottish team. If we want to get into the top eight we have to win this game. "I've spoken to the analysts this week but I've not had to give much detail on their squad. I follow Scottish football and I watch a lot of Celtic. It should be a good game. " Ferguson has had a challenging time since helping the national side qualify for this summer's World Cup as he struggles to regularly force himself into Vincenzo Italiano's starting XI with more time spent on the bench than he would like. "It's been a bit of a frustration as I'm not used to it, " he explained. "For the first time in my career I'm not a regular starter but that's just football, ups and downs. "I'm dealing with it and working away to get back into the team and when I'm in there, staying there. "This is just another game, it doesn't change much. In the same way we work before. We need the points. We have prepared for the game the same way as we have always done. "Celtic is a tough team even if they've had a difficult moment. They've changed coach a few times this season but they're a strong side. "I've obviously played against them many times, some good players and some who are still there and I know. " Despite no longer being a guaranteed starter at the Renato Dall'Ara, Ferguson himself is not perturbed by the potential impact on his prospects of starting at this summer's tournament in North America as he looks to exorcise the ghosts of the cruciate injury that cost him his dream of playing at Euro 2024. "I've not had any conversations with him (head coach Steve Clarke), it's normal, " he said. "I'm not used to it but it happens to everybody at some point. "I missed out on the Euros which was devastating, so that's there as a motivation and something to look forward to. "Every other Scottish player will be thinking the same thing. "It's never nice to miss out on a major tournament with such a major injury. "But, the World Cup's an even bigger tournament and it's an exciting time to be a Scotland player and Scotland fan. " Visit our Celtic page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Celtic news notifications in the BBC Sport app A changing man, or change the man - Mc Cullum's reckoning Palace striker Mateta tells club he wants to leave Former England captain George to retire in 2027 Explaining the Beckham family fallout How do video and board games get from idea to reality? A modern take on Elizabeth George's hit crime novels How much exercise should you do? 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How Mc Tominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs A changing man, or change the man - Mc Cullum's reckoning What does the future hold for LIV Golf after Koepka exit? England fans have 'every right to be annoyed, I made terrible mistake' - Brook 'I'm a scary sight' - Northampton's 23-stone, one-meal man Raducanu's 'most dispiriting' Slam display - what went wrong? Which countries are set to win extra Champions League places? NFL play-offs - how final four can make it to Super Bowl Jellyfish-inspired outfit steals show in Osaka win The day I discovered the Everton contract Revie never signed Is a Panenka ever the right choice for a penalty? Who will win title race between Hearts, Celtic & Rangers? Man Utd's complicated relationship with Class of 92 Results, fans, fall-outs - factors that lead to managerial pressure 'Shameful' and 'terrible look' - the chaos that marred Senegal's Afcon triumph 'Arsenal will never forgive themselves if they don't win title now' 'Abandoned' or 'business' - was Glasner right to 'attack' Palace owners? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.