Ferguson has also been handed the number 7 jersey ahead of Ireland’s crunch clash with Greece on Friday evening.
The Republic of Ireland are in Athens ahead of their crucial European Championships qualifier against Greece on Friday evening, and one player, in particular, is gaining a lot of attention from the hosts.
That man is of course Evan Ferguson, with the Brighton striker being the prime focus of Greece manager Gus Poyet’s pre-match analysis and commentary.
Ferguson notched six goals in 19 appearances during his maiden Premier League season. (Credit: Getty Images)Gus Poyet praises Evan Ferguson.
The former Chelsea and Spurs player was at pains to stress how highly he thought of the 18-year-old attacker, stating that his Greek defence will give Ferguson “plenty of attention” in an attempt to disrupt a player who he sees as being an “incredible” talent.
Poyet was not done there though, going on to remark that he viewed the former Bohemians man as a very “special player”;
“I always say that when a player is able to perform at the level he has in the Premier League at his age, then he is a special player”.
Despite reportedly attracting the interest of sides such as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur following what was a breakthrough season in the Premier League, Ferguson recently put signed a new five-year deal at the Amex Stadium.
Discussing this, Poyet, who himself managed the Seagulls for four years between 2009 and 2013, stated his belief that Ferguson had made the right decision.
Former Chelsea and Spurs midfielder Gus Poyet is currently in place as the Greek manager. (Credit: Getty Images)“He is at the right club for sure, I think it is a great step”.
“Normally when you are at a club you see potential in certain players and you are thinking about putting them in. But, you are always worried as a coach whether he is going to be able to deal with the power and the intensity, but he (Ferguson) has been incredible”.
The former Uruguayan international midfielder went on to add that “When Roberto De Zerbi is playing him week in week out when he is fit, he has shown that he can do it”.
Ireland fans themselves will be hoping that Ferguson “can do it” at the Opap Arena this evening in Athens, with the talented teen set to lead the line as Kenny’s side go in search of their first points of the qualification campaign.
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