Marc Fizpatrick: Rohan Ferguson has the world at his feet

Airdrieonians captain Marc Fitzpatrick has been piling on the superlatives over Diamonds’ sought-after goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson.

The 18-year-old signed a new two-year deal at the club this summer, making the number one shirt his own after the departure of Neil Parry to Ladbrokes League 1 rivals Alloa.

He’s since turned in several man of the match performances as Kevin McBride’s men picked up five wins from their first eight games of the new campaign.

And Ferguson is another reason Airdrie – who became a full-time club this summer – are among the frontrunners for the League 1 title.

Diamonds captain Fitzpatrick insists he’s delighted Ferguson decided to stay at Excelsior Stadium while still so young, but tipped the goalie for the top when he eventually decides to leave the club.

Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes News, Fitzpatrick said: “Rohan has been brilliant. Being a goalkeeper is a difficult position, especially when you’re young, and he’s taken to it with no bother.

“It’s not just his physical attributes, he’s down to earth, keen to learn and is buzzing that Andy Goram is our goalie coach and to be learning from him.

“He was even happy being Neil Parry’s number two last season. Neil was the best goalie in the league last year and Rohan has learned a lot from him.

A host of English Premier League clubs were rumoured to be watching Ferguson, while Dundee United and Hearts were also keen on him at the end of last term before he committed his future to Airdrie.

Ferguson added: “He could have knocked back the contract here and signed for a bigger team then sat on the bench or played for their Under-20s.

“But he wanted to play first team football and that showed a lot about him.

“For a young boy to knock back bigger teams so he could stay at a League 1 side and play first team shows he’s got a lot of confidence, ability and really wants to learn the game.

“That’s the best thing he could do,” the Diamonds skipper told us.

“He could play here for two years then get a move and be a first team goalkeeper somewhere.

“The world’s at his feet a wee bit. He’s done really well and is a brilliant goalie.”

Fitzpatrick will be hoping Ferguson puts in another fine performance this weekend when Airdrie head to Stenhousemuir.

The Diamonds are evens favourites, while the bookies make it 5/2 they keep a clean sheet and 3/1 Ferguson helps his side win to nil.

You can find plenty more exclusive Ladbrokes News SPFL interviews right here at news.ladbrokes.com/spfl.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.