Ben Wilson: Brighton star Evan Ferguson is so good… and he’s nowhere near his peak

Striker Ben Wilson has been among the goals for Cliftonville since arriving from Brighton and Hove Albion

Teenage Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson has been in hot form for Brighton and Hove Albion

Young forward Ben Wilson was at the double for Cliftonville in their victory over Ballymena United

Ben Wilson converted Cliftonville's third goal in their north Belfast derby victory over Crusaders

Cliftonville striker Ben Wilson could be forgiven for casting an envious eye at former team-mate Evan Ferguson, where the sky’s the limit for the Brighton and Hove Albion star.

The 18-year-old Republic of Ireland international has taken the Premier League by storm this season, and what makes his rise to fame even more remarkable is the fact that he didn’t come through the English system – he only joined the Seagulls from Bohemians in 2021.

Having made his Bohs debut at the age of 14, Ferguson signed a new contract at Brighton back in April that will keep him at the club until 2028.

He’s even being talked about in the same breath as Liverpool legends Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler.

When Ferguson bagged a hat-trick in Albion’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United earlier this month, he became only the fourth player to achieve that as an 18-year-old – the others being Owen, Fowler and late former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest star Chris Bart-Williams.

Incredibly, only a few months earlier, Ferguson was rubbing shoulders with Wilson before the 21-year-old’s move to the Reds.

Wilson has made a dramatic impact on the Irish League scene since his arrival, with eight goals to his name so far.

He further endeared himself to the Red Army with a double as Jim Magilton’s boys overcame Ballymena United yesterday, five days on from