Blow for Republic as Ferguson named in North’s squad

THE Republic of Ireland’s hopes of luring Newcastle’s Shane Ferguson across the border took a serious dent last night after he was named in Northern Ireland’s squad to face Serbia in an U21 match next Tuesday.

Although this would not rule him out of selection for the Republic as it is not a senior clash, it appears the clearest signal yet Ferguson is staying with the North.

The Newcastle defender has one Northern Ireland senior cap to his name — in a friendly against Italy two years ago — as well as nine U21 appearances, but is not tied to Northern Ireland because he has yet to appear in a competitive international.