Celtic back in the frame – Evan Ferguson needs games, goals, and confidence

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·14 de julio de 2025

Celtic back in the frame – Evan Ferguson needs games, goals, and confidence

The football world turns quickly. Two seasons ago Evan Ferguson was touted as the next great hope of Irish football, a Premier League wonderkid with the world at his feet.

19th June 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland: International Football Group B Euro 2024 Qualifier, Republic of Ireland versus Gibraltar Evan Ferguson of Ireland celebrates scoring his side second goal with Mikey Johnston. Photo ActionPlus Peter Fitzpatrick

OneFootball Videos

Celtic in the frame to offer Ferguson the stage to rediscover his lost spark

Injuries and a crisis of confidence have seen that buzz quieten somewhat, but Brighton’s £28 million valuation of the young striker shows there’s still belief from his club that he can become a top-class talent.

And now, against the odds, Celtic could be in the frame to offer him the stage to rediscover his lost spark.

With Premier League clubs seemingly hesitant to take a £28m punt and Saudi sides focused on more marquee names, the idea of a season-long loan has come into focus.

Evan Ferguson during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Amex Stadium on October 26, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Initially, it looked like AS Roma would be his next destination — a glamorous move, no doubt. But according to an interesting report in The Sunday Times Ferguson himself might favour a more familiar setting, should Celtic make their interest known.

The report suggests Ferguson could consider turning down a Serie A switch in favour of pulling on the Hoops – a move that would have seemed fanciful even last season. But when you break it down, there’s a logic to it – and an element of risk.

At 20, Ferguson needs games, goals, and confidence

At 20, Ferguson needs games, goals, and confidence. At Brighton, he’s not guaranteed minutes. At Roma, he’d face a different culture, a new language, and all the pressure that comes with being a loanee in a league famed for its tactical demands.

However, at Celtic, he could arguably settle into a team that creates plenty of goalscoring opportunities. And of course, he’d be playing in front of 60,000 every other week, competing for silverware and European football.

Add in the Irish connection and the fact that Celtic Park is a second home to many an Irish talent over the decades, and whose most significant shareholder is fond of an Irish signing or two, and the move could make both footballing and personal sense.

Evan Ferguson during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

There’s no mention of a loan fee, which could undoubtedly put a spanner in the works

There’s no mention of a loan fee, which could undoubtedly put a spanner in the works, but the wages – reportedly in the region of £30,000 a week – are said to be within the club’s upper bracket, on par with captain Callum McGregor and returning hero Kieran Tierney. If that’s the case, and Brighton are open to it, Celtic could, perhaps, explore the deal further.

Could Evan Ferguson become the focal point of Celtic’s attack for 2025/26? Could he use the club as a platform to get back to the heights expected of him just a year ago? It’s an interesting enough prospect, but it’s also a risky one, as we covered on The Celtic Star last month.

Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley on November 17, 2024 (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Deals like this are rare. But so too is the chance to sign a player of Ferguson’s quality

Deals like this are rare. But so too is the chance to sign a player of Ferguson’s quality and potential. However, such a deal would also come fraught with concerns as to whether Ferguson can get back to the fitness and form that saw him explode onto the EPL scene.

It seems far-fetched as things stand, but if the numbers add up – and Brendan and the board backed themselves to get a deal done and get Evan Ferguson’s career back up and running – it could be a deal that might well get over the line.

Niall J

Remember – no paywall and content that is 100% written by actual Celtic supporters – that’s what you get on The Celtic Star. And our books are also written by Celtic supporters.

Order both volumes of Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr and save a tenner! Link below…

Summer sale now on! £5 off all books at Celticstarbooks.com/shop

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books.