IRELAND's EVAN FERGUSON was cool, calm, and collected last night when he was asked how he felt about his Ireland debut and goal against Latvia on Wednesday night.
Stephen Kenny handed the Bettystown native his first start in an Irish jersey and it took Ferguson 17-minutes to repay his manager with a goal.
Ireland were pegged back by the Latvians with two goals in the first half but went on to win 3-2 on the night.
There were a number of impressive displays on the night, but most of the eyes were on Ireland's young teenager forward.
Speaking to RTE after the game Ferguson Ireland's new golden boy admitted he wasn't paying attention to all the attention he was getting.
"It's all just talk isn't it... people getting excited and stuff," he said.
"It doesn't really bother me. At the end of the day, it's just a game of football."
"It's just gone so quick. There's no breaks, no time to sit back and think about what I'm doing. It's just week by week there's another game. I'm just trying to concentrate on the next [one].
Only 18, not a bad player this Evan Ferguson lad!🇮🇪@stkevinsfc didn’t do a bad job with him😉✨pic.twitter.com/5fsHzkeHU8
— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) March 22, 2023
"It was obviously an unbelievable feeling yesterday, seeing I was getting a start. I was just trying to get in, get the tactics right, try to get myself prepared for the game, but always as a striker, in my mind, I wanted to get a goal.
All eyes will now be on Ireland's opening game against France next Monday.
Ireland starts their Euro 2024 qualifying game against Les Bleus, and it is expected that Ferguson will lead the line for Ireland in the Stade de France.
"Hopefully, we'll see," he added. "It's his choice, he's going to pick whoever he thinks is right. We'll have to wait and see.
"You should enjoy the bigger games. It'll show where we're at as a squad and individuals."
Ireland's game against France starts at 7.45pm next Monday.
