The British and Irish Lions could play in a warm-up fixture in Ireland in 2021..

With Ireland's Euro 2020 play-offs looming in March, he will now be urgently seeking another club to give him the game time he will require to ensure he remains in the forefront of Mick McCarthy's plans.

Allegations of racism again marred the weekend’s football schedule, with Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger the victim during his side’s win at Tottenham.

Stephen Kenny's side given boost as star names report for duty.

As Ireland’s U21 Euro campaign threatens to come unstuck, Aiden Keena feels he can aid their revival in Armenia tomorrow.

Stephen Kenny has said that he is delighted for Troy Parrott that the 17-year-old Spurs player has received his first senior Ireland call-up even though it means the U21 manager will be without his star striker for next Thursday’s Euro 2021 qualifier away to Armenia.

Whelan is not the only injury worry for Mick McCarthy ahead of the crucial Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark in a fortnight's time.

Seamus Coleman will miss out as he serves a two-game suspension but will be invited to join up with the squad in Dublin for the final Euro 2020 qualifier.

Rangers missed the chance to return to the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership table as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hearts at Tynecastle.

A frustrating night for the Republic of Ireland ended in a first 2020 European Championship qualifying defeat on a raid-sodden Geneva pitch.

Barring one adventurous run in which he cut inside a couple of Georgian defenders into their penalty box, Matt Doherty made little impact during the stalemate in Tbilisi.

On a night players from both sides found it difficult to find their feet, Mick McCarthy didn’t slip up in keeping Ireland on the road to a third successive Euro finals.

There were times when this would have felt just like old times for Glenn Whelan. And everyone watching.

While Mick McCarthy is always prepared to cut a little slack for a couple of his more experienced and established names, the manager has never sought to minimise the weight he attaches to the general requirement that, in order to play for their country, his players really need to be playing for their clubs.

Mick McCarthy's men face Switzerland in a "huge" Euro2020 qualifier on September 5 before a friendly with Bulgaria five days later.

The Ivory Coast international has had to wait seven months for his full debut but he made his mark as Celtic quickly regained top spot on goal difference following Rangers’ 1-0 win over St Mirren earlier in the day.

Glenn Whelan says Craig Levein’s ambition is what convinced him to join Hearts.

He will compete with Corkonian Colin Doyle and Zdenek Zlamal for a starting place at Tynecastle.

Age is just a number for Rod Stewart. 74 years of age, he took the Páirc Uí Chaoimh stage with the gusto and presence of a man half his age.

Superstar Rod Stewart paid a warm tribute to the late footballer Liam Miller, at his concert in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork last night, posting a picture of the former Republic of Ireland, Manchester United and Celtic player on the big screen of his stage.

Kieran Tierney boosted Celtic's triple treble hopes by declaring himself fit for the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hearts at Hampden Park on Saturday.

Glasgow Warriors coach Dave Rennie has refuted the claim that his club’s fans “are all Rangers supporters”.

Mikey Johnston helped Celtic draw down the curtain on an eighth successive Ladbrokes Premiership title-winning season with a double in a 2-1 win over Hearts at Parkhead.

Vincent Kompany struck a sensational winner as Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League with a dramatic and tense 1-0 win over Leicester.

Celtic defender Kieran Tierney will have an operation on a double hernia which will almost certainly keep him out of Scotland's European Championship qualifying double-header in June.

Goal number 13 for the season was far from unlucky for David McGoldrick as his first-half effort gave Sheffield United a 1-0 win at Preston on Saturday, a result that lifted the Blades back into the automatic promotion places in the Championship, after Leeds United lost 1-0 away to Birmingham City.

Hibernian staged a come-from-behind 2-1 win over near-neighbours Hearts to claim their first victory at Tynecastle since 2013.

Northern Ireland are hoping to convince promising defender Jimmy Dunne to switch allegiances from the Republic of Ireland.

Neil Lennon has hit out at the abuse he has suffered in Scotland, writes Tommy Martin

Neil Lennon has hit out at the abuse he has suffered in Scotland, writes Tommy Martin

Martin O’Neill has described the idea that he should have capped Declan Rice against Moldova last year – and thus secured the player’s future as an Ireland international - as “kind of crazy”.

Martin O'Neill says he is still hopeful Declan Rice will commit his international future to the Republic of Ireland, but admits some circumstances favour England.

Midfielder Glenn Whelan will lead Ireland out as captain against Northern Ireland for what will be his 85th senior appearance. The Aston Villa man will not be part of the squad for the Denmark game.

Odsonne Edouard grabbed a double as Celtic powered their way to within a point of Ladbrokes Premiership leaders Hearts with a 5-0 hammering of the Jambos at Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers wants his players to demand more of themselves in front of goal when Celtic take on Rosenborg in their opening Europa League Group B game on Thursday.

Oran Kearney began his tenure as St Mirren boss with an encouraging 0-0 draw against 10-man Celtic at the Simple Digital Arena.

Glenn Whelan will be given the honour of leading Ireland out against Northern Ireland in the friendly at the Aviva in November.

The latest chapter in Daryl Horgan’s career as a professional footballer began with a run off the bench for Neil Lennon’s Hibernian in their 1-1 draw away to St Johnstone in Perth last weekend.

Tommie Hoban has declared himself fit and ready to make his Aberdeen debut against Burnley in the Europa League after joining on loan from Watford.

His desire to spend a stint at boyhood idols Celtic is apparent but the first priority for James McClean is the immediate uncertainty over his club future.

Celtic 5 Rangers 0: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers admits his side should have equalled their record Old Firm win after they clinched their seventh successive Premiership title in stunning style with a 5-0 thrashing of Rangers at Parkhead.

Celtic's post-split match against Rangers at Parkhead has been scheduled for Sunday, April 29 - the second of their five remaining fixtures.

Strachan believes Celtic can top last season's Invincibles clean sweep by retaining their treble.

"For me, eligibility is not, and should not, be a political issue. Nor should it be a religious issue."