Another valuable step in  Evan Ferguson's learning curve

LEARNING CURVE: Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship Qualifier match against France at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

There would be no goal to mark Evan Ferguson’s first appearance in a competitive international and fuel the growing excitement surrounding the teenager. There was no doubt, though, this was a steady and valuable next step along the young forward’s learning curve.

It seems that every word of praise directed towards the striker has been accompanied by an attempt to dampen the expectations surrounding the the 18-year-old.