John O’Shea explains why Evan Ferguson could break Ireland goalscoring record

The former United defender thinks Robbie Keane’s record could be under threat.

Republic of Ireland assistant coach John O’Shea has spoken to his belief that Evan Ferguson could potentially break Ireland’s goalscoring record.

Ferguson has set the Irish footballing world alight this season, with the former Bohemians youngster scoring four Premier League goals this term, making him the highest scoring teenager in the division.

Making his first start for Ireland against Latvia back in March, it only took the Brighton forward a matter of minutes to open his international account, before leading the line again against World Cup finalists France days later.

And Champions League winner O’Shea believes that it is a sign of things to come for the young striker, saying that he has all the required attributes to write himself into Irish footballing folklore.

When asked if he could break Robbie Keane’s lofty tally of 68 international goals, O’Shea explained how he believes Ferguson has the potential to do so.

“He’s showing already in the Premier League for such a young age. Seeing him up close, his dedication and his talent, his goal scoring ability, how he finishes”.

Speaking to Ferguson’s uniqueness in terms of being a young Irish player playing week-in-week-out in England’s top division, O’Shea said that;

“First and foremost he’s one of the youngest ever players for Ireland in terms of playing at that elite level, the highest level in and around world football for such a young age. That already tells you what a talent he is”.

“You don’t need me to tell you he’s a very good player. Everyone can see it for themselves when they see him play against the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, everyone sees his talent”.

O’Shea and the rest of the Ireland management team will be certainly hoping to see Ferguson continue his fine form into June’s European qualifiers against both Greece and Gibraltar.

But the Brighton man will have his eyes firmly fixed on domestic action for the next fortnight, as his high-flying Brighton side attempt to secure European football for the first time in the club’s history.

*20 years on from his iconic nutmeg of Luis Figo. Just Eat are proud sponsors of the UEFA Champions League and have partnered up with John O’Shea to celebrate 20 years of this notable sporting moment. You can be in with a chance of winning tickets to the UEFA Champions League by visiting the Just Eat x John O’Shea mural on Camden Row, Dublin and scanning the QR code. For more information, visit www.just-eat.ie.

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