Evan Ferguson has been urged to shoot the lights out against Latvia after being likened to Robert Lewandowski.
The Brighton teenager will tonight make his first start for Ireland while Matt Doherty captains the team, also for the first time.
Stephen Kenny’s charges are using the Aviva Stadium friendly as preparation for Monday’s opening Euros qualifier against France.
And Ferguson, 18, could not be in better form going into the home double-header after smashing a brace in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Grimsby.
The Meath man - who made his senior debut in November - is having a sensational season and Kenny wants him to replicate his club form on the international stage.
Kenny insists he won’t have to change his system to accommodate Ferguson and said last night: “We’re not shy about playing young players.
“When it gets to the games against France, which are important games, it’s about the impact a player can have and the level of performance.
“The age then becomes irrelevant. It’s about who’s in form and who isn’t.”
Ferguson has scored seven goals for Brighton this season and Kenny continued: “His career is in its infancy.
“He's had a great start to his Premier League career and is scoring some goals in the Premier League, the FA Cup and League Cup.
“We’ve known about Evan for a few years now, coming through the system in Ireland with Bohemians and coming through the underage international teams.
“At 18 years of age, he's showing he’s ready to come into the team and will make his first start tonight.”
Former international Stephen Ireland yesterday likened Ferguson to Barcelona and Poland goal machine Lewandowski.
Ireland told the Irish Post: "For me he's more of a Lewandowski than a Robin van Persie style striker.
"He's strong, he's physical and competes, and can throw his weight around. There's a hell of a lot more to see and so much potential there."
Stand-in skipper Doherty has followed Ferguson’s rise from Spain where he is trying to break into the Atletico Madrid team.
And Doherty said: “He’s playing very well. He’s scoring some good goals with great composure for someone who is only 18.
“Hopefully it will be the same for this camp, the rest of the season and the rest of his career as I’m sure he’s going to have a good one.”
