Where do you draw the line with Evan Ferguson?
There’s an understandable reluctance to overhype a talented teenager finding his way, particularly so a striker when Ireland have been crying out for one for so long.
But it’s hard to keep a lid on the sense that something special is brewing when that 18-year-old is already producing the goods in the Premier League on a consistent basis.
Shay Given, for one, feels the ship has sailed when it comes to wrapping the young Meath man in cotton wool.
Certainly not after scoring three goals in his last four Premier League games, to bring his tally to five in all competition this season.
Capped 134 times for the Boys in Green, Given even goes a step further and claims Ferguson could be the difference between Ireland qualifying for Euro 2024 or not.
Not only does he think Stephen Kenny should play the striker - who made his senior debut in November - against France, he should build his team around him.
Tim Sherwood, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa manager, likened Ferguson to Alan Shearer in his pomp after heading home a brilliant equaliser at Leicester last week.
Given and Shearer were Newcastle team-mates for the best part of a decade and Given, speaking in association with LeoVegas, told Mirror Sport: “That was a special goal.
“He’s getting compared to Shearer and this guy looks the real deal.
“Every year there's a conversation about Irish players not playing regularly in the Premier League as we've quite a few in the Championship and even League One.
“We’ve missed that person performing at quite a high level.
“The Brighton manager (Roberto De Zerbi) deserves credit as a lot of managers would have said he’s too young, we can't risk it and we'll keep him in the 23s.
“But Ferguson has shown him plenty in training to prove he’s worth the chance and he’s backing it up with goals.
“It's early in his career but the excitement he’s generating among Irish fans isn't lost on anyone and hopefully he can be the real deal as he's raring to go.”
Given continued: “Let's be honest, we’re lacking goals in the senior team and he could be the perfect fit.
“He knows he has a real opportunity if he keeps scoring goals for Brighton and keeps going well.
“People will write articles and ex-players and current players will say he's the real deal because we can only say what we see and he has been brilliant so far
“I understand the dangers of hyping him up, but at the same time you can't not talk about him because he's doing so well at the highest level.
“It gives Irish fans the hope that he could be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying if we can get him firing on all cylinders for Ireland as well.”
Ferguson is from solid stock as his father Barry was a pro with Coventry City before carving out a good League of Ireland career that included two FAI Cups with Longford.
He is helping him avoid the many pitfalls on football’s boobytrapped road to fame.
But a recurring narrative of Ferguson’s fledgling story to date is how grounded the former Bohemins player is, according to those who have worked closely with him.
“You need the right family, friends and team-mates,” said Given, who has seen teenage prodigies come and go through the revolving door for club and country.
“Getting the right messages is important and there are a lot of support networks at football clubs now, especially at the top level with psychologists, social media teams.
“Ferguson will discover that it's not just about performing on a Saturday. You have to be careful what you do off the pitch, both in what you say and what you do.
“Everything is scrutinised, everything is magnified because you're suddenly big news. Whatever he does or wherever he goes, people now want a bit of him.
“He has to be ready for all of that. He seems hungry and wants to be successful in the game. But he's only at the start.”
Given continued: “Someone told me before that getting to this point is one thing, but staying there is another. It's actually harder to stay there.
“We've all seen players burst onto the scene in the past and fizzle away or go missing because, as in any walk of life, there are always distractions.
“There are always people wanting to get into your circle and Ferguson has to be careful with those people.”
Whether Ireland can mirror what Brighton are doing by getting the best out of the big striker is the question.
But with a friendly against Latvia and the crunch showdown with France in Dublin looming in March, we will find out quick enough.
Given is adamant that Ferguson must be central to Kenny’s plans when the beaten World Cup finalists pitch up here for the opening qualifier on March 27.
“He’s already proving in the Premier League that he can do it. It’s the biggest stage with the best players and the best defences,” he said.
“It's the top table and I'm sure Stephen Kenny is excited by every performance he watches - not just because of the goals Ferguson is scoring but his all round game.
“Brighton have a lot of good players and Stephen will be looking to see if they have to play in a similar way or do we have to mix it up a little bit?
“We have to try and grind out a result as France proved what a strong nation they are at the World Cup.
“It's going to be a hugely difficult task but we have Ferguson and a few more coming through who have been around the block for the last year or 18 months.
“These other players have gained experiences with Ireland - good and bad - and you hope that stands them in good stead come the qualifiers.
“You couldn't ask for a tougher start to the campaign but Evan Ferguson is at the front of the manager's mind now for sure.”
**********************
Caoimhin Kelleher has been urged to build his career away from Liverpool - and the sooner the better.
The Corkman, 24, has just three appearances in cup games for the Reds this season and Ireland boss Stephen Kenny recently claimed he was at a ‘career crossroads’.
Legendary Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given agrees and with Alisson firmly established as No 1, feels it is time that Kelleher put himself first by seeking gametime elsewhere.
Speculation has been mounting that Liverpool may consider cashing in on Kelleher despite rating him highly - and possibly even in this January window.
Transfer figures in the region of £30m have been floated, with Tottenham, Leicester City and Championship high flyers Sheffield United already linked.
Given said: “Caoimhin knows it himself. It's not rocket science that he needs to be playing. But he can't come out and say it as he's at such a big club in Liverpool.
“I'm sure he's said it to Jurgen Klopp inside the four walls of the manager's office - and probably more than once.
“I'm sure he spoke his mind but when you're under contract, it's difficult as the club holds all the cards and it's their decision.
“But even from a business point of view, it would be financially better if Caoimhin went out and played at Leicester or wherever and showed how good a goalkeeper he is.
“I think he's top notch. It's okay to talk about how good he is, but he needs to go show it and I don't think that would be a problem for him as he has that in the locker.”
Kenny would have some headache choosing who to start in goals if both his goalkeepers were Premier League regulars.
“It would be the million dollar question,” said Given with one eye on the looming France qualifier in March.
But he insists Kelleher can have no qualms with playing second fiddle to Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu.
And Given has hailed Bazunu for showing character to bounce back so strongly from some early season setbacks when stepping up to the Premier League for the first time.
“Gavin made one or two mistakes and I was wondering ‘how does he respond to this’ as the goalkeeping position is as much to do with what's going on between your two ears.
“But he bounced back and has put in brilliant performances again this season. That tells me he is learning from his mistakes and not letting them bother him.
“He parked it quickly and with Southampton down the bottom, he's going to have a busy, tough season but I think he has stood up to that test.”
**********************
Shay Given is desperate for Eddie Howe to mirror Jose Mourinho and put Newcastle United on the road to 'something major'.
It was 1969 when the Magpies last got their hands on a major trophy, beating Hungarian side Ujpesti Dozsa to win the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
But if Howe’s men can protect their 1-0 Carabao Cup, semi-final first-leg lead when they host Southampton on Tuesday, they will be Wembley bound.
Manchester United look certain to be lying in wait in that League Cup final after their 3-0 win away to Nottingham Forest in the first-leg of the other semi-final.
Given made 462 league and cup appearances for Newcastle United and also holds a club record 54 appearances in Europe.
He was inducted into Newcastle’s Hall of Fame after 12 years with the Magpies between 1997 and 2009.
“It would mean everything for the club to win a trophy this season,” said Given, of his old club who are soaring again.
“I was there for 12 years and couldn't do it. The people there before me couldn't do it. It's 1969 since their last trophy.
“I said it every season I was at Newcastle that you wish you could do it for the fans.
“Even the other night, they had a 12-hour round trip to get to Southampton and they sold out the away end.
“They are fanatical about their football team and there’s no question they would rather a trophy than any Champions League qualification because it has been way too long.
“But it's not over until it's over. They have a slight advantage going into the second leg but it's only one goal. There is still a lot of work to do.”
But Given wouldn’t have any fears of a Wembley showdown with Manchester United, insisting an in-form Newcastle would rise to the challenge.
He continued: “Eddie Howe is only there a year and you couldn't write the script on how well he’s doing. They’re a couple of years ahead of schedule if we're honest.
“I remember Jose Mourinho going to Chelsea and the first trophy he won was the League Cup. Getting that in the locker, you sensed it was the start of something major.
“For Newcastle to get the monkey off the back would be great as it’s been too long since they lifted silverware. There’s real optimism in the city that they are on the right path to something good.”
Shay Given was speaking in association with LeoVegas
READ NEXT:
Rory McIlroy speaks out on Patrick Reed tee-throwing incident
Marty Morrissey weighs in on All-Ireland final fallout as he says 'this isn't over yet'
Tyrone GAA hero Kevin Hughes opens up on devastating impact of siblings' road deaths
Cheltenham Festival hero Altior fighting for his life in hospital after severe bout of colic
Henry de Bromhead says Honeysuckle 'seems really good' ahead of Irish Champion Hurdle defence
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
