'Szmodics 'buzzing' to be involved for Ireland' - O'Shea allays fears over marksman's commitment

AT YOUR SERVICE: Blackburn's Sammie Szmodics, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English FA Cup fifth-round. Pic: Dave Thompson, AP

John O’Shea insists there’s never been any doubt over the allegiance of Sammie Szmodics as he prepares to hand him his Ireland debut in Saturday week’s friendly against Belgium.

The English-born attacker rebuffed an approach from another country he’s eligible for, Hungary, despite the carrot being dangled of potential involvement in this summer’s Euro finals in January.

The Championship’s top scorer with 27 goals is due to report into Castleknock Hotel after Blackburn’s fixture against Middlesbrough, fully in the mix to feature at Lansdowne Road for his bow at the age of 28.

He had been in the squad during the Stephen Kenny era but was either overlooked or withdrawn due to family reasons.

Centurion O’Shea met with Szmodics last week and has no concerns about his commitment to the Irish cause.

“It was very straightforward,” he said when naming his 26-man squad for the double-header that concludes against Switzerland on Tuesday week.

“One of the first games I went to watch was Blackburn v Millwall, where Michael Obafemi was playing as well.

“Any of the conversations I had with Sammie were all straightforward. He is buzzing - delighted to be coming in and it’s great to have a player like him in such good form consistently all season.

“He has got that versatility in terms of where he’s playing at the minute. He’s floating from a striker into a 10 position too. It’s great to have an option like that to bring into the squad.” 

Injuries added Alan Browne and Ryan Manning to the unavailable list alongside Shane Duffy and John Egan but as flagged Jake O’Brien receives his maiden call-up after impressing for Lyon in France.

Another uncapped player, Finn Azaz, is promoted to the senior squad following a stellar season in the Championship initially with Plymouth Argyle and Middlesbrough since O’Shea’s former teammate Michael Carrick paid €4m Aston Villa in January.

Andy Moran did win a cap in the dying minutes of Kenny’s final game in November but his availability for the U21s has been prioritized as they have a Euro qualifier in San Marino on the eve of the Belgium friendly. 

He and U21 captain Joe Hodge will link up with the seniors for the second part of the double-header against the Swiss.

Callum O’Dowda and Robbie Brady both return, likely as left-back cover for the absent Ryan Manning and retired James McClean.

“I know Finn well from working with u21s having a great season and he’s having a great season,” said O’Shea.

“I’d spoken to Michael about him and he’s a technical creative option going forward for us, offering us something different.

“Jake's another player I was involved with at U21 level. It’s brilliant to see what he’s done in the last 18 months, firstly going out to Belgium on loan to learn his trade, then leaving Palace for Lyon.

“He’s established himself in a top-flight league and it’s further competition in a competitive area of the field. That’s great for us, me being part of the defensive club.” 

The most intense competition appears to be in goal. Caoimhín Kelleher’s run in the Liverpool team finally provides credence to the debate that he’s worthy of displacing Southampton No. 1 Gavin Bazunu.

“It’s great to see Caoimhín Kelleher getting the run of games that Gavin has,” he noted.

“Mark Travers was doing well on loan at Stoke until he got recalled by Bournemouth for their Cup games.

"Last June in Turkey, I could see the real depth of quality that we have.

“It’s healthy competition and will be a tricky one but we’ll get Belgium out of the way first and see what happens.” 

Tom Cannon remains in international limbo by withdrawing his availability amid interest but O’Shea has no fears about him emulating Jack Grealish and Declan Rice.

“Look, Tom is concentrating on his club stuff and it's as simple as that,” the interim gaffer said about his chat with the striker. “I have no worries like that at all.” 

His Leicester City colleague Kasey McAteer couldn’t be called upon either for his first senior participation but that was due to an ongoing injury.