Jim Crawford central to plotting former Ireland U21 teammate Lee Carsley’s downfall

In preparation for the Nations League assignments, the FAI despatched Crawford and his new assistant Stephen Rice to analyse England at the Euros.

SCOUTING MISSION: Once they were Ireland U21 teammates but Jim Crawford is central to plotting Lee Carsley’s downfall on Saturday. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Once they were Ireland U21 teammates but Jim Crawford is central to plotting Lee Carsley’s downfall on Saturday.

England’s interim manager for their Nations League openers, starting at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, graced the Ireland jersey for the first time in 1995 as a debutant in a Euro qualifier away to Portugal.