Evan Ferguson declares himself 'ready to start' Greece encounter

FULLY FIT: Evan Ferguson during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Evan Ferguson has declared himself fully fit to spearhead the Republic of Ireland attack for their crucial Euro 2024 qualification clash against Greece on Friday night.

The talented Bettystown native became the fourth footballer in the history of the Premier League to score a hat-trick before their 19th birthday when he inspired Brighton and Hove Albion to a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at the beginning of September.

But unfortunately for his country, he was forced to withdraw late on in that game with a patellar tendon injury that would ultimately rule him out of Ireland’s double-header against France and the Netherlands.

Ferguson has steadily returned in recent weeks and made his European debut for the final 13 minutes of the Seagulls’ 2-2 draw away to Marseille last Thursday before completing the first hour of their 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

The Ireland number seven joined up with his international teammates on Monday and took part in light training on Tuesday due to his involvement with Brighton just 48 hours earlier.

But speaking to the media, the towering forward insisted he will be primed and ready to lead the line for the Boys in Green against the Greeks at the Aviva.

“I'm sure the gaffer will pick the team he feels suits for the game. I feel like I'm alright and I'm ready to start so it should be all good,” said Ferguson.

“I think it was just the way the game (against Liverpool) went. In most games you see a striker come off around 60/70 minutes. That was just the game went, get some fresh legs on.

“It was a good game (against Marseille), a good atmosphere, a different experience playing away in a country like that where the fans are just mental, so it was a good experience yeah.

“Playing regularly for club helps you to play for international and I feel comfortable with the lads here.

“It was such a big window and I was looking forward to playing the two games. The injury held me back and I couldn’t do anything.

“I just went back to get into rehab and tried to get myself fit. I watched the two games, two good performances and I'm looking forward to the two games we have now.” 

Ferguson has taken playing Premier League, Europa League and international football all in his stride despite his age and despite the praise he has received from some of the biggest names to have played the sport.

Last month Alan Shearer hailed the 18-year-old as a “special talent” but Ferguson remains keen to just focus on what’s happening on the pitch.

“I’m not sure, I think it’s just trying not to pay too much attention to it,” admitted the former Bohemians man when asked about how he copes with the limelight.

“Obviously, if you go on your phone you are going to see stuff, the positive and the negative, you are going to see it everywhere so it’s about trying to not concentrate on it.

“We have games coming thick and fast. It's hard to concentrate on stuff when you have games coming every three or four days.

“You see stuff and it all is just media talk. You have to try to concentrate on what you can control.”