Jim Crawford unimpressed with John Caulfield’s ‘outdated’ remarks

Crawford has also stated that seven of his squad remain unvaccinated but the Dubliner responded to Caulfield’s remarks earlier

Republic of Ireland U21 manager Jim Crawford and assistant manager John O’Shea. Picture: Brian Reilly-Troy

Jim Crawford has rejected Galway United manager John Caulfield’s claim that home-based players named in a back-up squad for the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming European U21 qualifiers have been treated as guinea pigs.

And the Republic of Ireland boss added that the move to call up a number of players from the SSE Airtricity League in a reserve capacity prompted supportive calls and messages from other managers in the Premier and First divisions.