By:
Mark Hendry
Evan Ferguson has had it rough as an AS Roma player on loan this season.
The big Irish forward has netted just once during his loan stint from Brighton and Hove Albion with the lone strike coming against Cremonese in Serie A back in November.
The frontman, 21, has not had his troubles to seek and Ferguson’s Roma future is up in the air with the Italian giants currently believed to be pondering an early termination of his deal to allow him a return to England in January.
That would certainly not be the ideal scenario for the attacker but, according to manager Gian Piero Gasperini, it is a realistic possibility based on the player’s form this season.
Just the one goal in 14 appearances in all competitions for Ferguson and the same number of assists has had fans and pundits alike questioning his suitability to the division as well as his talents in front of goal.
Evan Ferguson’s AS Roma scoring record needs work ahead of Celtic tie
But one game can change everything in football and Ferguson this Thursday evening will come up against a club who reportedly fancied taking the player on loan themselves from West Ham United earlier in the summer.
It is Celtic at home to the Romans in Europa League action this week and Ferguson will know what a strike against the Scottish Premiership champions might do for his chances of sticking around beyond this coming month.
Celtic lost to Hearts on Sunday afternoon with new boss Wilfried Nancy and his assistant manager Kwame Ampadu struggling to implement their changes to the squad and set up in time to bring about three points in the league.
And Ferguson – if he is picked by Gasperini ahead of the likes of Paulo Dybala and Tommaso Baldanzi through the middle – will feel he has a chance to pile on the misery in Glasgow.
Would a goal against the Hoops be enough, though?
Well manager Gasperini has revealed this week that Ferguson’s future at the club has not yet been considered by himself nor the club generally.
Instead the former Inter Milan and Atalanta boss has made it clear he is willing to give the Irishman a chance between now and then before making any sort of call.
And with Roma sitting 15th in the league phase of the competition and Celtic in 21st, if Ferguson can do the business it could go a long way towards helping the decision.
What Gian Piero Gasperini said on Ferguson’s Roma future
“Ferguson’s future? I’ve never talked about it, I don’t know if the agent has,” the Roma manager explained.
“I will talk about it with the club in January, if necessary. It always happens these days that there’s a lot of talk about players, then maybe one comes in, scores two goals, and changes everything.
“Or maybe he plays two or three high-quality games and the assessments change.
“I think it’s too early: there are so many games that can completely change the strategies.”
Roma may well jump into the January transfer market for a new striker regardless of whether Ferguson stays beyond the window as they are short up top.
Sitting fourth in the league, too, the club will be determined to maintain their form – nine wins from 14 with five defeats – to push for a European spot for next season.
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