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Shane Duffy is hoping Evan Ferguson can be the Republic of Ireland\u2019s talisman for years to come as the teenager finds his feet on the international stage.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old Brighton striker\u2019s absence through injury for last month\u2019s Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and the Netherlands left manager Stephen Kenny without perhaps his most potent weapon and in his absence, Ireland\u2019s hopes of dragging themselves back into the race for qualification from Group B were effectively ended.<\/p>\n
Ferguson is back in harness for Friday night\u2019s clash with Greece at the Aviva Stadium and having witnessed his emergence both in the Premier League and for his country, former Seagulls team-mate Duffy is confident he has what it takes to succeed.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cFor me, he\u2019s got everything, he\u2019s the full package. He\u2019s a strong boy, he\u2019s a top finisher, he\u2019s willing to work for the team and he\u2019s willing to learn. For an 18-year-old, there is so much pressure on him already, you think that\u2019s a good habit to have.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all really excited for the future for him. Hopefully with a bit of luck, he\u2019s our talisman for years to come and gets the goals we all want. He\u2019s a really good boy, he has a really bright future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferguson\u2019s blossoming talent has inevitably invited comparisons to Ireland\u2019s record goalscorer Robbie Keane, who made his senior international debut against the Czech Republic as a 17-year-old in March 1998.<\/p>\n
Keane went on to score 68 goals in 146 appearances \u2013 also a record \u2013 for his country over more than 18 years, for many of them the focal point of a team which he helped reach the World Cup finals in 2002 and Euro 2012 and 2016.<\/p>\n
For me, he\u2019s got everything to be a top striker in the Premier League and in Europe.<\/p>\n
However, Duffy has warned Ferguson he needs to keep his feet firmly on the ground if he is to fulfil his potential, and has seen signs that he will be able to do that.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cFirst of all, he\u2019s a great boy. He\u2019s a really good head on his shoulders. He\u2019s humble first and foremost, he never gets ahead of himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe came to Brighton at 16 and he was like a man already. He stood out unbelievably well. He\u2019s got a lot of potential. He\u2019s only 18 and there\u2019s a lot of pressure on him already.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe will produce. For me, he\u2019s got everything to be a top striker in the Premier League and in Europe. He just needs to keep going the way he is going, not to get too ahead of himself.\u201d<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Cw-9NPIomhH<\/p>\n
Now 31, Duffy is approaching the opposite end of his career to Ferguson and will be 36 by the time Euro 2028, for which Ireland and the United Kingdom were this week named hosts, comes around.<\/p>\n
Asked if that was in his sights, the Norwich defender replied with a smile: \u201cI\u2019m just trying to survive until Friday, never mind 2028. I can\u2019t look that far ahead, honestly.<\/p>\n
\u201cListen, I\u2019ll never give up. I don\u2019t know where I\u2019m going to be in 2028. I\u2019ll be the kit man or something.\u201d<\/p>\n