John Egan has backed teenager Evan Ferguson for a bright future after watching the Brighton ace perform this week in training.
Ferguson won a shock call-up to the senior Ireland squad for this week’s friendlies against Norway and Malta.
And as one of just four recognised strikers, there is every chance that the 18-year-old will be capped.
He could even become Ireland’s youngest ever goalscorer, beating Robbie Keane’s record of 18 years and days when he opened his senior account against Malta in 1998.
Sheffield United defender Egan said: “He’s a young man but he’s not young in stature. He is a big man for his age and he has got a bright future ahead of him.
“It seems like he has got a really bright attitude and he’s got good ability, so it’s been really good to get to know him this week.”
Egan, meanwhile, brushed off the absence of Manchester City’s free-scoring sensation Erling Haaland. He misses out through injury.
“This is football and we know Norway are a good team,” he said. “They’ve got good players no matter who is playing.
“I don’t focus on that really. We have to go out and play well against what we are up against. We all want to do really well for this team. I’m looking forward to this game.”
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