Evan Ferguson takes France and Mbappé challenge in his stride

Kylian Mbappé was Ferguson before he illuminated the 2018 World Cup, a teen striker with unique characteristics carrying the footballing hopes of a nation.

STARBOY: Ireland's Evan Ferguson celebrates after scoring. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Evan Ferguson had quite a few stops to make through the bowels of Lansdowne Road before finally emerging for his formal media duties on Wednesday night.

There were the formalities of providing instant reaction to his first goal on his first Ireland start to broadcasters and then his club’s own media crew dispatched from Brighton and Hove Albion to capture the teen striker’s latest international elevation.