Shay Given talks up Evan Ferguson transfer to Celtic logic

The Irish forward remains contracted to Brighton and Hove Albion following a challenging loan stint with West Ham United last season.

Ferguson made a lasting impression during the 2022/23 season at Brighton, netting 10 goals and providing three assists in 25 matches across all competitions.

Over the past two seasons, he has only found the back of the net seven times for his clubs. “Evan just needs to find a home, if I’m being honest,” said Given.

“Be it here [at Celtic]or somewhere else. He needs someone to say, ‘You’re my player.’ He went to West Ham for Graham Potter and you thought that was the perfect fit because Graham had him at Brighton. But then he didn’t play so much at West Ham either.”

“Michail Antonio and someone else was injured, yet they played Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus – not Ferguson. What happens next for Evan?”

“I just think he needs to go, be it a loan for a season or some club buys him, and you build the team around him. I think he’s a top player, I really do.”

Given continued: “I did some Malaysian TV recently with Bobby Zamora and he goes into Brighton once a week and coaches the strikers. Bobby said Evan was the best finisher at the club.”

“Maybe because he burst onto the scene that everyone’s been expecting so much so soon. But again, with young players, you need to have a bit of time.”

“I just feel he’s ready now to burst onto the scene for a full season with somebody. For us, with Ireland, it would be great too.”

“I don’t know if the finances would be to buy him, but if you said for a loan for the season, it would be perfect. But I’m not the financial power at Celtic or Newcastle, so I don’t know!”

Shay Given was at Celtic Park last week to promote the Celtic v Newcastle Utd friendly at Paradise on Saturday 19 July, tickets are available on general sale at the official Celtic FC website.

Conor Spence