Evan Ferguson is Ireland’s next leading man – but the form of supporting cast will have biggest say in Euro 2024 hopes
EVAN FERGUSON may have stepped up as Ireland’s leading man ahead of the summer blockbuster with Greece.
But putting Ireland on the big screen in 2024 will be as much about the next career steps of his supporting cast.
Ferguson’s rise and rise has been sensational as he has looked comfortable in the spotlight thrust at him.
And while England looked away during Harry Kane’s Oscar-worthy antics against Everton, Ireland fans cannot get enough of the man capable of replacing him as the best in the Premier League.
Even old home movies are now shared excitedly, as his goal against Bournemouth is one he has been working on since he was a 12-year-old at St Kevin’s.
Getting No 1 billing for Ireland is a given now even if few could have predicted it coming so soon.
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When Stephen Kenny was appointed Ireland Under-21 manager in 2018 and immediately sought to pull together the best talent regardless of age, Ferguson was not among those selected.
In fairness . . . he had only just turned 14 at the time.
The attackers Kenny turned to offered hype for the future, as he planned to build an attack around Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, Michael Obafemi and Aaron Connolly.
Idah was on the books of a Premier League-bound Norwich City at the time while Parrott, Obafemi, and Connolly were already there.
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In Parrott’s case, he was a 16-year-old training with the first team at Spurs and travelling to Champions League games.
Obafemi was already a Premier League starter at Southampton while Connolly was a few months away from taking the top flight by storm with two goals against Spurs in his first start.
It is fair to say that four years on, none are where it was hoped they would be.
Connolly is currently injured on loan at Hull City, having fallen out of favour at Brighton, and had difficult loan moves to Middlesbrough and Venezia.
Obafemi rediscovered his mojo at Swansea last year with 11 goals in the second half of the season — but Burnley unsettled him before he joined on loan in January.
The fact that the Clarets loan move has no clause to make it permanent this summer means no risk for Burnley, but an onus on Obafemi to earn a switch to the Premier League-bound outfit.
Two goals in seven substitute appearances is a good start, though the next month will be critical.
Parrott has been hit by tough loan moves — to MK Dons and Preston — and upheaval at Spurs.
And Idah is now just back in action after almost 12 months out through injury but Norwich giving him a new five-year deal shows the belief they have in him.
Where all are playing in August could prove a lot more important than the 90 minutes in Athens.