John O'Shea oversaw the Europa League Group Stage draw on Friday afternoon, but not before he was quizzed about the huge potential of Evan Ferguson.
The Waterford man was on stage in Monaco in his role as Europa League Final ambassador, as Ireland prepares to host the grand finale of this season's competition next May.
Sporting a green tie for the occasion, O'Shea was asked the prospects of Ferguson, who will be appearing in the Europa League for Brighton this season.
"I'm trying to play him down a bit more now," answered O'Shea coyly. "Obviously he came to everyone's attention last season in the Premier League for Brighton and now he's on the European stage with Brighton as well, so it will be extra special to see him."
John O'Shea on Evan Ferguson
Donning his Ireland assistant manager's hat, O'Shea went on to lay out his priorities with two massive Euro 2024 qualifiers to come against France and the Netherlands next week.
"I'm just worried about him staying fit this weekend so he's okay for the Irish team next week," added the ex-Manchester United man, with a grin. "But a very special talent."
While Ferguson will be grateful for O'Shea's words, he may not as thankful for the group that his international coach helped place Brighton in.
The Seagulls' first foray into European football looks a tough one, after they were drawn in the same Europa League group as Ajax, Marseille and AEK Athens, but Roberto De Zerbi's men have already shown that they are capable of mixing it with bigger clubs.
A familiar face on stage at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco 🇮🇪
Republic of Ireland assistant manager and UEFA Europa League ambassador John O'Shea!#UELdraw #UEL pic.twitter.com/mZtYyBsU64— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 1, 2023
Europa League and Conference League draws
Liverpool were drawn with Toulouse, LASK and Union Saint-Gilloise, which is an interesting one due to the fact that the Belgian side features defender Kevin Mac Allister, the brother of the Reds' new signing Alexis.
West Ham were pitted against Olympiakos, Freiburg and TSC, while Rangers will have to get past Real Betis, Sparta Prague and Aris Limassol.
Meanwhile, in the Europa Conference League, Aston Villa were drawn against AZ Alkmaar, Legia Warsaw and Zrinjski Mostar, while Aberdeen will face Eintracht Frankfurt, PAOK and HJK Helsinki.
