REPUBLIC OF IRELAND international striker Evan Ferguson, dubbed a goalscoring sensation when he made his Brighton breakthrough, is likely to be on the move in the summer.
The 21-year-old powerhouse has just returned to the south coast club after a disappointing season-long loan at AS Roma.
Ferguson scored only five goals for the Serie A outfit in 21 games – ironically two against Celtic in the 3-0 Europa League flop at Parkhead in the second of Wilfried Nancy’s six defeats in his eight games before he was axed following a catastrophic 33 days.
Now the champions are being labelled “an exciting option” for the boyhood Hoops fan.
PICK IT OUT…Evan Ferguson nets the first of his double as he leaves Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel helpless as AS Roma romp to a 3-0 Europa League win at Parkhead in December.
Ferguson exploded upon the English top flight as a teenage rookie when he fired in 10 goals for Brighton in the 2022/23 debut season.
But injuries, loss of form and confidence saw him agree a temporary switch to the Italian club last year.
Things didn’t go according to plan and it now looks certain the youngster will leave the Seagulls – this time on a permanent deal.
Former Republic of Ireland international forward Shane Long insists: “Celtic could be an exciting option for Evan.
“Three years ago he was the Young Player of the Year at Brighton and clubs like Manchester United were looking at him.
“Celtic are a massive club, it’s not somewhere you can go just to try and find your feet, you need to go in there and score. Any striker there is going to get loads of chances.
“So, it could help him build his confidence.”
PARADISE…boyhood Celtic fan Evan Ferguson celebrates scoring at Parkhead.
Long, speaking in a report in The Scotsman, continued: “I know injuries played a part, but he went to Roma and it hasn’t really happened.
“I think he only scored four or five goals and hasn’t hit the ground running. He was only on loan and is back at Brighton now.
“He needs to come back flying in pre-season.”
The former Southampton striker, who claimed 17 goals in his 88 international appearances, added: “Evan needs to train hard all summer to make an impression straight away and have that commitment in himself.
“It’s a shame because he has a lot of quality, it’s just a matter of confidence at the moment.”
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