O’Neill names squad for crucial Scotland qualifier

Martin O’Neill has today named his final 27-man squad for the Republic of Ireland’s next two games - the crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland on Friday and the friendly against the USA next week.

There are two new faces in the squad - Derby defender Cyrus Christie and Ipswich striker David McGoldrick.

James McCarthy picked up an injury playing in the Premier League yesterday, but will be assessed in Dublin before a final decision is made on his fitness.

McCarthy, who turns 24 on Wednesday, played the full 90 minutes of his side’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday but came off the pitch complaining of a hamstring injury.

Marc Wilson was also injured yesterday and has been ruled out of the squad with a torn hamstring.

The squad will hold training session in Malahide tomorrow and Wednesday before travelling to Glasgow for the match on Friday night.

Final Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: David Forde, Shay Given, Rob Elliot, Darren Randolph.

Defenders: Richard Keogh, Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, John O’Shea, Alex Pearce, Ciaran Clark, Stephen Ward.

Midfielders: Darron Gibson, Jeff Hendrick, Aiden McGeady, James McCarthy, Anthony Pilkington, James McClean, Robbie Brady, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler.

Strikers: Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, David McGoldrick, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Anthony Stokes.