People in Irish footballing circles have known for quite some time that Evan Ferguson had the potential to be a world class player. He was a prodigy when coming through at St Kevin's and possessed all of the qualities needed to make it to the very top of the game.
In saying that, not many would have predicted just how quickly he would emerge onto the world stage.
His hat-trick against Newcastle United this evening was very much a coming out party, with football fans around the globe now acutely aware of the level of talent we are dealing with when it comes to the Meath man. Scoring a Premier League hat-trick as an 18-year old is a feat that has only been achieved by three other players.
Evan Ferguson is the fourth youngest player to score a hat-trick in the history of the Premier League 🇮🇪
He joins Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, and Chris-Bart Williams as the only players to manage the feat before their 19th birthday 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vOoO0E1V95— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 2, 2023
You get the sense that there is plenty more to come.
Evan Ferguson gives brilliant interview after scoring hat-trick
One thing that is notable about Evan Ferguson is his elite mentality. He certainly views the game in a manner that you would not normally expect from someone so young, something that bodes well for the rest of his career.
That mindset was on show once again soon after netting his trio of goals this evening.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, he was quick to put the focus on the team and admitted that he still needed to improve aspects of his performance despite the goalscoring exploits. He also explained the influence his father had on him as a youngster.
It's good. Obviously it was a bad result last week (against West Ham) and we knew we needed to bounce back. We just came out flying this week from the first minute, tried to press them up high and that. We got good luck in the end...
I didn't know if I was going to be offside or not (for the first goal), because the defender was behind me there. I thought I was going to be offside, but I just had to try and finish it, luckily it went well.
When you're in training it's hard to work on game realistic position like that. I think sometimes you just have to try and sniff it out if you do see Billy [Gilmour] running onto a shot like that, make sure you're there...
Sometimes in the first half I could have turned a bit more and go at them a little bit more. We talked about it at halftime, so when I got on I said the first one I get I'm going to turn and try and run at them and take a shot...
It's only fresh, so it's hard to take in. Obviously it's an unbelievable feeling.
As a kid and as a striker, you want to grow up and score as many goals as you can in the Premier League. When you get a hat-trick in the Premier League it's a good day.
I had family here, so it was definitely good for them...
[His Dad] was one of them that was standing in the corner with his jacket and hood up saying nothing (at Evan's games).
I think that helped me, because if I did need him I could go over and talk to him and he would know what he's talking about. He wouldn't ever put any pressure on me.
Top class.
This may be the first Premier League hat-trick for Even Ferguson, but you get the sense that it won't be his last.
A special day for a special player.
SEE ALSO: Watch - Ireland Star Evan Ferguson Nets Historic Hat-Trick Against Newcastle
