'My understanding is that Kevin is our player' - Crawford cool on Zefi switch concerns

The Ireland U21 star has been tracked by Albania. 

NO PANIC: Republic of Ireland Under 21 Head Coach Jim Crawford. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Ireland have no fears over losing Kevin Zefi to Albania, primarily due to the absence of clearance from Fifa.

Once Jim Crawford opted to drop the Roma winger from his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Scotland and Hungary at the Pinatar Arena in Spain, it was reported he was switching allegiances.

Albania have been tracking the Irish-born flanker on account of his eligibility through parents but Crawford isn’t aware of the player jumping ship with a new Euro qualification campaign looming later in 2025.

“My understanding is that Kevin is our player,” said the Irish manager upon naming four uncapped players in his 23-man squad, including transfer record-breaker Mason Melia.

“I felt his fitness levels needed to be better when he was in our last camp in November. He then played with Roma’s U20s but over the last number of weeks that game time has dipped.

“I tried to help him in other areas too and I think he was thankful for that.

“He must understand that it’s about a bigger picture here. We have a competitive pool of players coming into this U21s campaign and Kevin is part of that. His preference is to play for us and we’ve had a conversation about that.

“I don’t know if he can play for Albania because there’s a bit of paperwork involved for anybody to go and play for another country. The FAI have received no application through Fifa for a change of nationality.” 

Injury robbed Crawford of the opportunity to blood Melia in his group but he’s in line for his U21 debut against the Scots. Tottenham have agreed a pre-contract deal worth a minimum of €1.9m to St Patrick’s Athletic. He will move cross-channel next January after he turns 18.

The March double-header constitutes the build-up to Ireland’s Euro 2027 qualifying campaign which kicks off on September 4. Ireland are pooled with holders England, Andorra, Moldova, Slovakia and Kazakhstan.

Ireland squad for matches against Scotland on Friday, March 21 and Hungary three days later (both 7pm, Irish time):

Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Conor Walsh (Sligo Rovers).

Defenders: Connor Barratt (Barnsley), Sean Grehan (Bohemians, on loan from Crystal Palace), Conor McManus (Brentford), Alex Murphy (Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Newcastle United), Connor O’Brien (Accrington Stanley), David Okagbue (Walsall), Gabriel Otegbayo (Sheffield Wednesday), Jacob Slater (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Midfielders: Darius Lipsiuc (Walsall, on loan from Stoke City), Ronan Maher (Tamworth, on loan from Walsall), Jack Moorhouse (Manchester United), Jamie Mullins (Brighton & Hove Albion), Adam Murphy (Bristol City), Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Accrington Stanley, on loan from Southampton).

Forwards: Joe Gardner (Lincoln City, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Mark O’Mahony (Portsmouth, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace), Harry Vaughan (Hull City).