Ivan Ferguson will play no part in the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and the Netherlands after picking up a knee injury in Brighton’s win over Newcastle; The 18-year-old became the fourth teenager in Premier League history to score a hat-trick.
12:57, UK, Tuesday 05 September 2023
Ivan Ferguson has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury.
The Brighton striker, 18, suffered a knee injury in the Seagulls’ 3-1 win over Newcastle, during which he became the fourth teenager to score a Premier League hat-trick.
After being assessed by the national team’s medical staff, it has been decided that he will not play against France in Paris on Thursday or the Netherlands in Dublin on Sunday.
Stephen Kenny’s side are third in Group B with three points from three games, behind current leaders France and second-placed Greece.
Ferguson has six senior caps since making his debut against Norway in November 2022.
De Serpi: Ferguson could become Europe’s top goalscorer
Brighton head coach Roberto de Serpi, speaking after the 3-1 win over Newcastle:
„I’m happy for him [Ferguson] Today, not just for goals. His performance especially in the first half is pleasing. He found the right conditions. Newcastle defended in a 4-4-1-1 and found space for him. He understood where that place was. He works to perfect his qualities.
„He can become big, big, big. He has enough qualities to become a great player. He can become one of the best players, he is the highest scorer in Europe. He was born in 2004, he is 18 years old. I don’t know how much. Players are young, he is They score the same.
Asked if bigger clubs would look at Ferguson, de Gerby said: „It’s normal for Brighton to sell players. The main thing for Brighton is not to keep, but to find a replacement. It’s the right thing for us to do.”
Evan Ferguson’s build-up: £100m waiting?
Sky Sports Senior Correspondent Melissa Reddy:
The first was sheer force, the second was courage and precision, and the third was a touch of luck. Ivan Ferguson marked his second start of the league campaign with a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Newcastle.
The Republic of Ireland international has now scored four league goals in just 206 minutes this season – compared to six in 951 minutes in the past. No youngster has been more prolific in Europe’s top five leagues since the start of last campaign.
As Brighton secured European football for the first time in the club’s history with the help of two Ferguson goals against Southampton in May, there was a celebration of what might have been, but also a sadness of what might have been.
The south coast club believe Newcastle and Manchester United would have been upset for a Champions League place by the time they reached the FA Cup final had the would-be king been sidelined for nearly a month with an ankle injury. The cost of the latter.
At just 18, Ferguson’s impact in both Brighton’s attack and opposition defense during his breakthrough season was enough to declare some of the sharpest minds in football that he could become a £100m player.
Anyone involved in the formative years of the Republic of Ireland international would not mark that as overrated. Those working with Ferguson believe we are now being treated to the best display in the Premier League.
Are there too many expectations and pressures on a teenager? An unequivocal 'no’ was the answer from those who knew him well.