O’Neill fears England lure
Amid renewed English interest in the Birmingham-born player who was capped from U15 to U21 for Ireland, O’Neill yesterday revealed that he has spoken to the 18-year-old and his father about committing to the senior Irish team but added he doesn’t want to bring too much pressure to bear at this point on what is obviously a delicate situation.
“He’s got a number of options and he’s felt comfortable playing underage level but it’s a totally different thing to committing yourself to senior football,” said O’Neill.”
“He’s got a lot of talent. He’s got taller. He’s got stronger in the last couple of months. It was a decent conversation and I think I’ll just leave it at that at the moment.”
O’Neill added that he doesn’t believe Roy Keane finds himself in a difficult situation in relation to the player because of his dual roles as assistant manager for Ireland and Villa.
“He has been impressed with (Grealish), but the young lad is forcing his way into the team,” O’Neill said.
“I thought it was obviously encouraging from his viewpoint that Aston Villa should choose to put him on, as first sub, with 20 minutes to go, on the opening day of the season when they are hanging on to something.
“But I don’t think it puts Roy in an awkward position. I think obviously he will do his best but I want the decision to come from the players themselves.”
O’Neill agreed that the English FA have upped the ante in the battle for the hearts and minds of dual-eligibility players.
“Very much so, absolutely, yes,” he said. “While the rules remain the same for us as for them, there is very much a case of them not wanting young talent to disappear just under the radar. Whether they are actually going to use them or not, the want to make sure they have first call on them.”
Asked how, in general terms, Ireland can be sold to players with a decision to make, O’Neill replied: “If you are talking generally, I think the first thing, the number one selling point, is there is hopefully — if you’re talking about England for instance — a fairly decent chance they might have better opportunities playing for us.
“Now if you finally break into an England squad, the chances of qualification for European and World Cup tournaments are of course greater, but you level that with (for Ireland) you are on an international stage and the chances are, if you have the talent, a wee bit more often.”
One such player definitely going green is 26-year-old Ipswich Town striker David McGoldrick who is currently waiting for his Irish passport to come through — though the paperwork is not expected to be completed before next month’s opening Euro qualifier away to Georgia.
“He is definitely a talented lad and no question he is definitely on the radar,” O’Neill confirmed, adding that “no doubt” he would have a role to play over the course of the qualifying campaign.
Neither Grealish nor McGoldrick are included in O’Neill’s provisional 36-man squad which will be whittled down before the friendly against Oman in Dublin on September 3 and the game in Tbilisi four days later.
Indeed, the squad is notable for its familiarity, with no uncapped players included, although the manager said he was still hopeful of bringing in new blood over the coming months.
Ahead of the upcoming games, there are significant injury doubts about Andy Reid and James McClean, while Darron Gibson’s lack of match fitness is a concern after his long lay-off.
On another injury-plagued player, Robbie Brady, the manager said: “I’m hoping he will get some football between now and when I narrow the squad down. Ideally, I would like players to be going in who have played some competitive football before we hit Oman and, obviously, Georgia.”
O’Neill also confirmed yesterday that Robbie Keane will retain the captaincy going into the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
Jack Grealish isn’t alone in becoming the meat between the sandwich of Ireland and England. Many other talented youngsters eligible for both countries have represented each on different occasions or, like Grealish, still retain the option of switching.
Here are four other players in a similar situation.
Age: 21
Club: Chelsea
Born: Lincoln
Irish connection: Grandparent
Began his international career with Ireland at U18 level while on the books of Nottingham Forest but his €1.6m switch to Chelsea prompted England to pounce. Impressive loan spells last season at MK Dons and Derby County triggered interest from Martin O’Neill.
Status: Despite playing for England’s U19s and U21s, Bamford is eligible to change allegiance.
Age: 21
Club: Manchester United
Born: Stockport
Irish connection: Father
Another to be given his first taste of international football by former Ireland U19 boss Sean McCaffrey, this half of the United twin brothers wasn’t so taken by his predecessor Paul Doolin and jumped ship in 2012. New United boss Louis van Gaal last week blocked Keane’s proposed loan move to Cardiff City.
Status: Having played competitive qualifiers for both Ireland and England, this stylish centre-back has now been lost to the Three Lions.
Age: 17
Club: Arsenal
Born: Coventry
Irish connection: Grandparents
Steeped in Irish heritage, this teenage playmaker was snapped up by the Gunners from Premier League rivals Aston Villa last year for almost €1m. Regarded as one of the hottest talents across any of the English academies.
Status: Can still decide to defect from England to Ireland and recently admitted to keeping that option open.
Age: 16
Club: West Ham United
Born: London
Irish connection: Father
Son to the former QPR, Crystal Palace and Manchester City player of the same name that played for Ireland’s U21s, Anthony is the standout player in this season’s Ireland U16 crop. England, however, called the attacker into their squad for Wednesday’s game against Belgium, only for injury to keep him out.
Status: Open. Early days yet in Scully’s career, meaning he still has the luxury of switching between countries until senior level.
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