Como’s Jacobo Ramon, left, in action with AS Roma’s Evan Ferguson, whose loan move to Italy from Brighton has generated much interest on these shores. Photo: Matteo Ciambelli/Reuters

With Irish involvement in the English Premier League at an all time low – just six players active this season – the path taken by Ireland’s Wild Geese is now more important than ever.

From Evan Ferguson winning over his doubters in Italy with Roma, Andrew Omobamidele helping Strasbourg top the table in the Conference League, Callum O’Dowda starring for Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros and less-heralded Irishmen like Armstrong Oko-Flex (Bulgaria) and Anselmo Garcia McNulty (Netherlands) succeeding outside of the limelight, this is a good time for a mid-season report card on how Ireland’s players at clubs on the continent are faring.