Ferguson to Celtic , All Comes Down to One Thing
Dunne, who remains close to Ferguson’s family, believes the 20-year-old is prioritizing consistent first-team football above all else this summer. And after the season he just had, it’s easy to see why.
Ferguson began the 2023/24 campaign with high expectations. Touted as one of the Premier League’s brightest young prospects, he was widely viewed as the future of Brighton’s attack. But things quickly went south. Despite a promising start, he ended the season with just one Premier League goal to his name. A short-lived loan spell at West Ham only added to the frustration ,Ferguson played just three times and failed to score, struggling to break into David Moyes’ setup.
For a player in the critical stages of development, a year of limited minutes and stalled momentum can be damaging. Ferguson knows this. His camp knows this. And any club serious about signing him will need to show that they know it too.
That’s where Celtic come in.
Under Brendan Rodgers, the club is actively searching for a new striker to lead the line next season. With Kyogo Furuhashi linked with a move away, and Adam Idah still trying to cement his place despite arriving for £9 million, there’s a clear gap to be filled. Ferguson ,strong, intelligent, and technically gifted would be a huge boost. But the Celtic boss will need to do more than just show interest. He’ll have to make Ferguson feel central to his plans.
Richard Dunne explained it best in a recent interview with William Hill Vegas:
“Sometimes in football, things just don’t work out , a move, a season, a loan spell. It happens. I remember playing 10 or 11 games when I first broke into Everton’s team, felt like I’d made it… and the next season, I barely got a look in. That’s how the game goes.”
He went on to describe Ferguson’s current mindset:
“He’ll be hungry to prove himself. If he gets a solid pre-season, scores a few goals, you could suddenly see him being a starting No.9 somewhere. He just needs the minutes , the confidence will follow. He’s too talented to fade away. What he needs is a manager who’s willing to invest in him and give him real, consistent chances.”
That kind of opportunity is exactly what Ferguson missed at West Ham. And while Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler is still evaluating his squad heading into the new season, there’s a real possibility that Ferguson will be loaned out or sold ,especially if he’s not viewed as a starter in the immediate plans.
Naturally, Celtic aren’t the only club monitoring the situation. Teams across England, Germany, and the Netherlands are reportedly tracking the Irish international, all hoping to give him the platform he didn’t get last season. But any move will be decided by one major condition: will he play?
From Celtic’s perspective, Ferguson could be the answer to several problems. He’s young, has top-flight experience, and fits the profile of a player who could develop into a club talisman. But it’s also a test of intent for Rodgers and the club. Are they willing to build their attack around a 20-year-old who needs nurturing but has star potential? Or will they hesitate, offering only rotation minutes behind more established names?
Ferguson isn’t just looking for a new badge to wear , he’s looking for trust, for minutes, and for belief. The suitors are lining up, but only those willing to back him with a key role will stand a real chance.
So while the Celtic-Ferguson connection is real, the outcome depends entirely on how bold the Scottish champions are prepared to be. Will they hand the keys to a young striker desperate to reignite his career? Or will they play it safe and watch him flourish elsewhere?
One thing’s certain , if Rodgers is ready to gamble on Ferguson, it could be a game-changer for Celtic’s next era.
