{"id":296711,"date":"2023-11-11T23:27:49","date_gmt":"2023-11-11T23:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=296711"},"modified":"2023-11-11T23:27:49","modified_gmt":"2023-11-11T23:27:49","slug":"because-im-irish-evan-ferguson-shoots-down-england-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/soccer\/because-im-irish-evan-ferguson-shoots-down-england-question\/","title":{"rendered":"'Because I'm Irish':\u00a0Evan Ferguson shoots down England question"},"content":{"rendered":"
Brighton star Evan Ferguson quickly dismissed suggestions he would have been tempted to switch from the Republic of Ireland to play for the England national team.<\/p>\n
Ferguson made his Republic of Ireland debut in 2022 and has scored three goals in eight appearances.<\/p>\n
He is now ineligible to switch nations under FIFA rules, but previously qualified for England through his mother, Sarah.<\/p>\n
Ferguson was asked in a talkSPORT interview about the prospect of representing England, responding ‘that’s never going to happen now’.<\/p>\n
After then being asked by the interviewer why he was so committed to Ireland, Ferguson gave a quick response.<\/p>\n
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Evan Ferguson has shot down suggestions he could have been tempted to play for England<\/p>\n
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Evan Ferguson has scored three times in eight appearances for the Republic of Ireland<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
‘Because I’m Irish,’ he replied.<\/p>\n
‘There is nothing else to say, I have been asked that question a few times.’<\/p>\n
The question had received a backlash from Ireland fans, but journalist Alex Crook claimed it was a ‘tongue in cheek’ comment after previous speculation over Ferguson would have switched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘Me asking Evan Ferguson, whose mum was born in England, if he was ever tempted to play for England has caused a bit of storm,’ Crook wrote on X, formerly Twitter.<\/p>\n
‘It was a tongue in cheek question as has been a story in the press. He answered it brilliantly with a smile as he did every other question. Top guy.’<\/p>\n
The Republic of Ireland had previously missed out on Jack Grealish and Declan Rice, who have instead starred for England.<\/p>\n
Grealish had played at youth level for Ireland before deciding to switch to the Three Lions, while Rice feature three times at senior level in friendlies before changing allegiances.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Mail Sport’s Chris Sutton, Ferguson admitted there is pressure to perform as he seeks to lead Ireland to a first major tournament since Euro 2016.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Declan Rice played three times in friendlies for the Republic of Ireland before declaring for England<\/p>\n
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The teenage striker has also committed his future to Brighton after signing a new contract\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018There is, to a certain extent,\u2019 Ferguson said. \u2018You can see where the fans are coming from.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘When you see someone come to England and do well, they expect you to go back to Ireland and produce the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘There is a little. But I wouldn\u2019t say it affects me.\u2019<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old, who has drawn comparisons to Alan Shearer\u00a0amid his meteoric rise, committed his club future to Brighton this week.<\/p>\n
Ferguson signed a new contract that ties him down to the Sussex club until 2029.<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n