John O’Shea names first and only squad as Ireland interim manager on Thursday ahead of friendlies with Belgium and Switzerland
It is up to interim manager John O’Shea to decide whether or not to include Sammie Szmodics in the Republic of Ireland team for their upcoming matches against Belgium and Switzerland.
In light of the FAI Director of Football Marc Canham’s earlier confirmation that a new head coach will be named in April to lead Ireland into the Nations League and World Cup 2026 qualifiers, O’Shea unveils his all-star team on Thursday.
With 27 goals in all competitions this season, Szmodics has been outstanding for Blackburn Rovers. This performance should get the 28-year-old’s first cap against Belgium on March 23rd. On the other hand, Stephen Kenny’s two prior senior squad call-ups ended in early departures and little playing time.
The midfielder, who was born in England, is also eligible for Hungary because of his grandpa, but Marco Rossi, the manager of Hungary, publicly chastised him this week.
“After I asked Szmodics if he would be playing for the Hungarian national team, it was very unpleasant to know who could tell the Irish media about his invitation,” Rossi stated. Either his manager or he was involved. And why? getting a call-up to the Irish national squad? Even if this guy is a skilled player technically, we don’t need him.
On June 4, Ireland will host Hungary at the Aviva Stadium.
O’Shea can attack in other ways. similar to Evan Ferguson. The last goal the teenager scored for Brighton in the Premier League was on November 25, against Nottingham Forest. However, he has only made four starts in 2024, which helps to explain some of the hiatus.
Two Celtic players will join Ferguson in the squad, but Mikey Johnston is rekindling his career in the English Championship on loan at West Bromwich Albion, where he has scored six goals since moving in February. On the other hand, Adam Idah scored five goals in five starts for the Hoops following his loan move from Norwich City.
Michael Obafemi, who is still playing for Millwall but is still looking good, and Chiedozie Ogbene, who puts on electrifying performances for Luton Town, are also contenders. win a 12th cap. Troy Parrott caught the eye for Excelsior Rotterdam with seven goals and three assists in the Dutch top flight but the 22-year-old has a fresh injury.
Nathan Fraser is a possible addition to O’Shea’s list. The 19-year-old, who just made his Premier League debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers, will likely be sent to Jim Crawford’s under-21 team, and Andy Moran, Joe Hodge, and Sinclair Armstrong will also need to make similar choices.
Recently, Moran left the Blackburn team, and at Queens Park Rangers, Hodge and Sinclair are fighting for playing time.
Tom Cannon of Leicester City may even be persuaded by O’Shea or Crawford to further his Irish heritage, or he may choose to dedicate himself to Lee Carsley’s England under-21 squad.
With Jayson Molumby injured, O’Shea will be encouraged by Jason Knight’s consistency in the Bristol City midfield, while Josh Cullen started Burnley’s last three Premier League games. Preston skipper Alan Browne and Southampton’s Will Smallbone are ever presents in the English second tier while Finn Azaz can still declare for Israel or England, but the Middlesbrough man’s nine goals and six assists might earn him a call-up.
The centre halves choose themselves for the most part because of the injuries to Shane Duffy and John Egan, though Jake O’Brien’s performance at Olympique Lyonnais may pay off.
“Why shouldn’t I be considered as I am playing consistently in one of Europe’s top leagues?” recently stated O’Brien. “One of the top leagues in Europe is France. Every week, I play for a formidable squad against elite strikers and am always learning.
Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins, Andrew Omobamidele, and Liam Scales obstruct O’Brien’s path to the Irish team.
With Matt Doherty struggling to get playing time at Wolves and Séamus Coleman warming the Everton bench behind Ben Godfrey, Festy Ebosele, a wing back from Udinese football, may get the opportunity to take his Serie A performances to a global stage.
Goalkeeping stocks have never been so plentiful with O’Shea needing to choose between Caoimhín Kelleher and Gavin Bazunu. Kelleher has made 20 appearances for Liverpool this season, with five clean sheets and several outstanding saves against Manchester City last Sunday expected to nudge him ahead of the Southampton stopper.
O’Shea already indicated that Max O’Leary will be the third-choice goalie ahead of Mark Travers.
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