Interim Republic of Ireland manager John O’Shea has expressed his confidence in Brighton teenager Evan Ferguson, despite the striker’s recent goal drought. Ferguson, 19, missed a penalty during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Belgium, extending his run without a goal to 21 games.
O’Shea praised Ferguson’s courage and resilience, noting that such dry spells happen even to the top strikers. He emphasized the youngster’s ability to bounce back and regain his scoring form in the future.
The missed penalty came after Ferguson slipped while approaching the ball, resulting in a save by Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels. Despite the setback, O’Shea commended Ferguson for not letting it affect his performance and for continuing to create opportunities throughout the game.
Reflecting on the match, O’Shea highlighted the solid performance of the Irish team against Belgium and expressed disappointment at not converting the chances created. He emphasized the importance of taking advantage of opportunities to break through the opposition’s defense and create scoring opportunities.
Looking ahead, O’Shea will lead his team in their upcoming friendly against Switzerland in Dublin. As Ferguson seeks to end his goal drought and make an impact for both club and country, all eyes will be on the promising young striker as he continues to develop his skills on the field.