CRAWFORD: EVAN IS GOING RIGHT TO THE TOP
AS Evan Ferguson prepares to make a snap return for Brighton today, Jim Crawford is adamant the teenager has ‘the bullet-proof mindset’ to reach the top. The Irish U21 boss has observed a raft of players over his three years in charge, and no one has impressed him like 18-year-old Ferguson. ‘He came in to us at 16 and I am sort of saying to myself, “This does not feel right, I should not be bringing in a 16-year-old to an under 21 campaign.” ‘Physically, he did not look out of place. As soon as I saw him in the games, in training, in the shooting practices, I could see he was an outstanding prospect.’ And Crawford has no doubts that the teenager has what it takes to convert potential into elite accomplishment. ‘Having a bullet-proof mindset is the key,’ said Crawford, adding, ‘It’s where you ask the question of yourself every day: “Can I get better? Physically? Mentally? Tactically? Technically? How can I get better?” Evan has all that. He is a fantastic professional. ‘It’s about living right, training right, being assertive in terms of asking questions of your coaches.’ Avoiding serious injury is also crucial to the development of players, and Ferguson has made an astonishing recovery from Fabinho’s horror tackle last Sunday in the FA Cup. Amid concerns he might struggle to make Ireland’s opening Euro qualifier on March 27, even though he has yet to play a competitive minute for Stephen
Kenny, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi allayed fears yesterday. ‘We will have to see about Evan,’ said De Zerbi when asked whether Ferguson might be available to face Bournemouth today. ‘The injury was not so heavy; he might be able to play tomorrow or the next game.’ Ferguson is one of a number of senior players eligible for Ireland’s U21 campaign which kicks off in September – Gavin Bazunu, Adam Omobamidele, Troy Parrott and Festy Ebosele are also qualified to play for Crawford. Might he ask Stephen Kenny about their availability? ‘I haven’t had that conversation with Stephen. I am sure a few of the players are cemented into Stephen’s starting XI, so you can’t argue with that.’ Crawford’s colts take on Italy, Norway, Turkey, Latvia and San Marino and the manager, having signed a new contract, will be giving the Euro qualifiers his full focus. ‘I’m ambitious and I want to qualify for the finals. We’ll do everything in our power to make that happen,’ he added.