Seven forwards named as Martin O’Neill trawls for sharpshooter

There are seven forwards named in Martin O’Neill’s provisional squad for the upcoming summer friendlies against Celtic, France, and the USA.

Jonathan Walters and Shane Long have been around the block many times. Sean Maguire, Scott Hogan, and Aiden O’Brien are recent arrivals on the international scene. And Graham Burke of Shamrock Rovers and Preston’s Callum Robinson are the brand-new additions to the attacking ranks — the latest contenders to be handed a shot at putting the ball in the net for Ireland.

“We have a problem with it,” said Martin O’Neill yesterday, once more addressing the old bugbear. “We do not have a Robbie Keane and we don’t have anybody here that you would think at this minute would be almost semi-guaranteed to get you a goal in important situations.