Evan Ferguson to Celtic transfer links addressed by Shay Given as Hoops-daft pundit reveals his major concern
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SHAY GIVEN would be thrilled to see Evan Ferguson in a Celtic jersey for next season — but he's not so sure how Adam Idah would feel about it.
Republic of Ireland legend Given - 134 caps - believes the out of favour Brighton ace needs to move on to rejuvenate a stalling career.
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Evan Ferguson has been tipped to make a stunning move to Celtic
Credit: Getty
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Adam Idah could have serious competition up front next season
Credit: Alamy
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Shay Given hopes to see Evan Ferguson land another club
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
And he's all for the idea of Ferguson coming to Parkhead, if only on a season-long loan.
The frontman burst onto the Premier League scene when he was just 17 and got off to a flyer.
But lately it's been tough going for the Irish international, a loan move to West Ham for the second half of last season failing to boost his confidence with just one start and no goals.
Former Hoops youth and lifelong fan Given reckons Brendan Rodgers would be the 'perfect' manager to kick-start Ferguson's career amid persistent talk there's interest.
The well regarded TV pundit - back in Glasgow to promote the glamour pre-season between the Hoops and former club Newcastle United at Parkhead on July 19 - said of the rumours: 'Better not tell Adam that!
'I think Evan just needs to find a home, if I'm being honest. Be it here or somewhere else.
'I think he needs someone to say 'You're my player.'
'He went to West Ham for Graham Potter and you thought that was the perfect fit because Graham had him at Brighton.
'But then he didn't play so much at West Ham either.
'Antonio and someone else was injured, yet they played Bowen and Kudus - not Ferguson.
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'What happens next for Evan?
'I just think he needs to go, be it a loan for a season or some club buys him, and you build the team around him. I think he's a top player, I really do.
'I did some Malaysian TV recently with Bobby Zamora and he goes into Brighton once a week and coaches the strikers. Bobby said Evan was the best finisher at the club.
'Maybe because he burst onto the scene that everyone's been expecting so much so soon.
'But again with young players you need to have a bit of time.
'I just feel he's ready now to burst onto the scene for a full season with somebody. For us with Ireland it would be great too.
'I don't know the finances would be to buy him, but if you said for a loan for the season it would be perfect.
'But I'm not the financial power at Celtic or Newcastle, so I don't know!'
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Given keeps a close watch on the Hoops' Irish contingent — Idah, Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny.
And he said: 'I do take an extra interest in the Irish boys because I do a bit of work for Irish TV.
'Of course, there's Adam Idah, Liam Scales, Johnny Kenny.
'We obviously oversee them, watch the Celtic games and try to keep an eye on them.
'I think Adam scored 20 goals. didn't he?
'Again, first season as a regular starter, I think it's been a good campaign for him.
'But he'll want to improve on that and get more goals next season. I don't think 20's a bad return, if I'm being brutally honest.
'He'll also want to add to his international goals too.
'Adam and Scalesy are well regarded in the international set up.
'Adam's competing with Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott and players like that.
'Evan Ferguson not that long ago was being talked about as a £100 million player and Adam started on Friday night against Senegal.
'So, that's where he's regarded in the Irish set up, by the manager especially.
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'He was the first choice on Friday night while Ferguson started against Luxembourg.
'Adam's very much competing for that number nine jersey.
'He's a good player while with Brendan - who is a brilliant manager and coach- he's in the right environment.
'Celtic's a big club and I think Brendan will keep improving him as a player.
'I think he's in the perfect position.'
Meanwhile, on striker prospect Kenny, who finished last season as a regular off the bench including the Old Firm derby and Scottish Cup final, Given said: 'He was on loan at Shamrock and did well.
'I know obviously with Dermot Desmond there's a connection with Celtic and Shamrock.
'You'd need to ask Brendan for his plans for Johnny for the season.
'But again from an Ireland perspective, we'd really like to see more of him for Celtic.'
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