Evan Ferguson may have to get used to being asked frustrating questions about his imagined desire to play for England, if the latest interview clips are anything to go by.
The Brighton striker is Ireland's most exciting young talent in years, with 11 Premier League goals and three senior international goals already to his name at the mere age of 19. It has been an extraordinary rise for the ex-Bohemians striker, and has made him one of the most highly rated youngsters in Europe.
Ferguson made his debut for Stephen Kenny's Ireland last November and, despite some bitterly disappointing results for the side over the past 12 months, he has impressed across his eight international appearances for the Boys in Green.
Those eight caps mean that Ferguson is no longer allowed to switch nationality at senior level - he had previously been eligible to declare for England through his mother Sarah.
Even before his eligibility status changed, Ferguson was adamant that he had no interest in switching to play for England, saying as much in a Sky Sports interview earlier this year.
All of the above facts, and the status of Ferguson as not only a crucial player on the pitch but a fan favourite among the Ireland fans, has not stopped the English media from speculating as to whether the young superstar will switch eligibility.
The ridiculous line of questioning not only ignores the basic fact that a switch is no longer possible, but also presumes on Ferguson's behalf a desire to turn his back on the country he was born and raised in despite his insistence to the contrary.
In an interview with the Bettystown native this week, talkSPORT's chief football correspondent Alex Crook yet again raised the tiresome question - and a visibly frustrated Ferguson batted it away without hesitation once again.
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Evan Ferguson bats away yet another England question
Talksport: 'And what's the reason that you're so committed to Ireland?'
Evan Ferguson: 'Because I'm Irish'
Never not at it.pic.twitter.com/vhefO0D4NC— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) November 10, 2023
Evan Ferguson's reaction spoke volumes when a wearying question was put to him by talkSPORT this week about the prospect of him ever "pulling on the white shirt" of England.
The Brighton man was quick to shut down the line of questioning, pointing out that he had given the same answer previously:
I don't think that would...that's never going to happen, no. That's not a question.
I'm Irish! There's nothing else to say. I've been asked that question a few times but no. I'm Irish.
Ferguson was visibly annoyed by the question - as he himself said, it has been a frustratingly persistent line of questioning in recent months. PTSD from the switches of Jack Grealish and Declan Rice may pervade, but Ferguson is an entirely different case, and he has clearly grown tired of any suggestion he would be interested in declaring for England.
To have been asked such a question on multiple occasions by reputable outlets is an insult to Ferguson and to the Irish team.
The emphatic nature of Ferguson's response should put an end to any speculation, though we doubt it will stop the UK media from linking him with a sensational (and legally impossible) switch to line out for Gareth Southgate's team.
Evan Ferguson was included in Stephen Kenny's Ireland squad for the upcoming international window. Ireland will face the Netherlands in Amsterdam in their final EURO 2024 qualifier (November 18) before a friendly against New Zealand in the Aviva Stadium three days later.
In more exciting news this week, it was confirmed on Friday that Ferguson has signed a new long-term deal with Brighton until 2029.
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Ferguson said he was delighted to have commited his future to the Seagulls, while manager Roberto de Zerbi said, "Evan deserves this new contract and he has a very big future ahead of him."
That he does, and he'll see it out in the green of Ireland.
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