Josh Cullen: 'When Vincent Kompany wants to sign you it's a compliment in itself'

No longer is the midfielder a fringe player at West Ham; instead he’s a mainstay of Vincent Kompany’s Belgian side Anderlecht

Waasland-Beveren's Felix Bastians and Anderlecht captain Josh Cullen fight for the ball during during the Jupiler Pro League match in January. Ireland's Cullen has earned huge praise from Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany. Picture: Getty Images

Past disappointments have taught Josh Cullen not to get his Ireland hopes up so he’ll await confirmation of his place in the squad today before navigating his route from Brussels to Belgrade on Monday.

The 24-year-old hasn’t made the cut for any of Stephen Kenny’s initial squads — answering the call for the October and November gatherings only after others dropped out — but he’s a shoo-in for the opening World Cup qualifiers.