MANCHESTER UNITED’S 18-year-old midfielder Darron Gibson has received his first call-up to the Irish U21 squad for the UEFA Championship qualifying game away to Greece on August 16.

REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Don Givens has named a strong squad for the preliminary round of the UEFA U-21 European Championships against Azerbaijan next month.

Birmingham defender Alex Bruce, son of Blues manager Steve, has received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad.