Celtic get big Evan Ferguson update as manager sends brutal message

AS Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini has seemingly confirmed that Evan Ferguson will return to Brighton in January by questioning his usefulness, in what could prove to be a big update for Celtic.

The Republic of Ireland international has endured a difficult few months in Italy’s capital. Deemed surplus to requirements by Brighton, Ferguson was loaned to AS Roma, but he has been unable to get his career back on track.

Last week, Ferguson netted a brace against Celtic, the club he supported growing up, in the Europa League, but it was, by all accounts, too little too late to salvage his stint at the Serie A giants.

Roma have been in discussions with Brighton to cut Ferguson’s loan short in January, and the Giallorossi are pushing hard to secure Man Utd forward Joshua Zirkzee as a replacement.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified the Dutchman as his priority target for January, having clearly given up on Ferguson despite last week’s promising outing against the Hoops.

Gasperini: Ferguson ‘not useful to Roma’

Speaking ahead of Monday’s clash with Como, Gasperini bluntly suggested that Ferguson is of little use to Roma. “We have to ask ourselves if he’s useful to Roma, not to me,” he said. He was in Glasgow, but we have to ask ourselves if he always is. Roma is above everything and everyone.”

The news that Roma will send Ferguson back to Brighton has naturally piqued the interest of those of a Celtic persuasion due to his support for the club and the fact that he would be an affordable – and much-needed – January reinforcement for Wilfried Nancy’s struggling side.

However, it is doubtful whether Ferguson will again be on the market after his return to England. Brighton are without Stefanos Tzimas for the rest of the season, which opens up a spot for the Irishman in Fabian Hurzeler’s team.

Nevertheless, rumours will continue to swirl, and understandably so. Despite his recent positive comments on Ferguson, Hurzeler has rarely used him. The striker did not play for Brighton before his loan switch to Roma, so he could technically feature for one more club this season, meaning that a transfer in January can’t be entirely ruled out.

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