When thinking about the attacking options Ireland could have at their disposal in the years ahead, it's difficult not to be excited about what the future might hold.
Evan Ferguson is clearly the headline name, but he is far from the only one that should get the pulses racing for Irish fans. In fact, we do not even need to look beyond Brighton to find another prospect that we should all be keeping a very close eye on.
Andrew Moran is someone who has been well-known in Irish footballing circles for quite some time, although it is only now that he is becoming more familiar to many fans. Having joined Brighton in 2020, he made his way up through their youth ranks and would make his Premier League debut for the club last season.
It was expected that he would go on loan in the current campaign to get consistent senior football for the first time in his career, an opportunity he seems to be making the most of.
Andrew Moran scores a brace in Carabao Cup victory
Andrew Moran has already impressed at Blackburn Rovers prior to tonight, making six appearances in all competitions and grabbing an assist in their Carabao Cup win over Harrogate Town.
However, his showing against Cardiff City this evening was arguably the finest of his career so far.
He would get an assist late in the first half, impressively picking out Arnor Sigurdsson after a run down the right flank.
👤 Arnór Sigurðsson (f.1999)
🏴 Blackburn
🆚 Cardiff
🇮🇸 #Íslendingavaktin pic.twitter.com/fD29ov8XTs— Áhugaverðar staðreyndir um íslenska knattspyrnu (@OReyndir) September 27, 2023
That was just the start.
The Irishman would put Blackburn 3-2 ahead just after the interval, overturning possession in the final third and finishing cooly to open his account at the club.
Andrew Moran scores his first goal for Blackburn with a cool finish! He would bag a second a few minutes later 🔥pic.twitter.com/EeNSiIhZPj
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 27, 2023
He wouldn't have to wait long for his second.
It came just five minutes later, this time producing a wonderful strike from outside the box to give the Cardiff goalkeeper no chance.
This was Ireland U21 star Andrew Moran's second goal of the night for Blackburn! What a player 😳pic.twitter.com/ohpwWWKpYS
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 27, 2023
A remarkable talent.
He would then go on to get a second assist of the night later in the game, wrapping up a 5-2 win for Blackburn as they booked their place in the next round.
Andrew Moran 🔢🆚 Cardiff City
🥅 2 goals
🅰️ 2 assists
🔓 4 chances created
🔑 3 big chances created
🖊️ 1 penalty won
📝 5 fouls drawn
♻️ 7 recoveries
💪 100% tackles won
What a night for the young Irishman 🇮🇪#rovers #bhafc pic.twitter.com/mE6xDxUqDt— NT Stats (@NTStats) September 27, 2023
Andrew Moran has been part of the Ireland U21 squad since 2021 and looked set to be the key man in Jim Crawford's team for the Euro qualifying campaign that kicked off last month. However, if he can produce form such as this on a consistent basis, you would imagine that he will instead be part of the senior squad.
Considering the relative lack of creativity in the Ireland team at the moment, he would certainly add something to the side.
SEE ALSO: Screamer From Ireland Midfielder Gives Ipswich Victory Over Wolves
