Ireland Under-21 boss Jim Crawford has challenged Aaron Connolly to nudge his way back into the senior Ireland squad - by firing the Under-21s to next summer’s European Championships.
Connolly will bridge a two-year absence at this age level when he lines out in the play-offs against Israel later this month.
Ireland take on Israel over two legs - the first at Tallaght Stadium on Friday September 23, with the return in Tel Aviv on Tuesday September 27.
The Brighton striker - currently on-loan at Serie B side Venezia - has been capped eight times at senior level, but hasn’t pulled on an Irish shirt since the 1-1 draw at home to Azerbaijan last September.
Crawford held talks with the Galway native ahead of Thursday’s squad announcement, before deciding to draft him in for the two key fixtures.
He said: “Aaron, with regards international football, has been a little bit of driftwood where he wasn’t with the senior team or the 21s.
“He done an interview a number of weeks ago which I looked at and he showed a level of maturity, he seemed remorseful with regards to how he behaved, whether it was at Brighton or what have you.
“It was something that got me thinking.
“I got somebody involved in the process to link in with him and just ask if he would be interested to play with the 21s.
“The answer I got back was ‘yeah, certainly’. He wants to put on a green shirt again. That was a fantastic start.
“I rang Aaron a few times, we’ve had conversations, we had a Zoom call yesterday.
“I just think it was important to stress to him and underline to him what got us to the play-offs.
“The group of players we have got have been fantastic up to now, but I think we all know what Aaron can bring to any squad.
“He can score goals, he’s a real threat, so to have him with the 21s for this game is great.
“For himself, it’s a chance to show people that he is still around and that he can produce in big games.
“And that’s what this play-off is, it’s a fantastic stage for him to be involved in.”
According to Crawford, once Connolly made himself available, calling him up was a no-brainer.
“It’s international football. You are always interested in the best players that you can get into your squad,” he said.
“We have a small pool of players, we’re a small country, so we can’t neglect players of that talent and ability and cast them aside.
“It’s an opportunity for him to prove his worth, that he wants to play for the Republic of Ireland.
“Here is a great platform and stage for him to show Stephen [Kenny] that he is ready to go back into the senior team.
“What he brings to this squad here, he has a number of senior caps, he has played in the Premiership, he has scored goals in the Premiership, players in the under-21 squad can learn from that.”
Crawford also addressed issues regarding contract extension talks with the FAI.
A former Bohemians player, he has been linked with Dalymount Park while negotiations have been ongoing.
He insisted that the talks would not be a distraction ahead of the play-offs.
“Still negotiating, that’s where we are at,” said Crawford. “I just have the ability to be focused on this Under-21s game.
“That’s where my focus is and I have a real narrow focus on that at the minute.
“I’m sure it will get done sooner rather than later but at this moment in time I am concentrating on these two games coming up.”
He added: “In an ideal world, yes, you’d like it done but it’s not and these things happen in life. You’re negotiating and it’s certainly not going to bother me.
“These games are too big to be worried about that.
“I know something is going to get done. I am confident we can come to an agreement but at this stage nothing has been done.
“But I’ve parked that up now, there is other people dealing with it at this point in time. Nothing is going to get in my way in preparing for Israel.”
Crawford has called up 25 players ahead of Ireland’s bid next week to make history and qualify for the European Championships.
As well as Connolly, there are also calls for Udinese’s Festy Ebosele and Barnsley midfielder Luca Connell.
Aston Villa loanee Finn Azaz - currently at Plymouth Argyle - gets his first call up.
SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: David Harrington (Cork City), Brian Maher (Derry City), Luke McNicholas (Sligo Rovers).
Defenders: Eiran Cashin (Derby County), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Andy Lyons (Shamrock Rovers), Mark McGuinness (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (RWD Molenbeek, on loan from Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers), Joe Redmond (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Sean Roughan (Lincoln City).
Midfielders: Finn Azaz (Plymouth Argyle, on loan from Aston Villa), Luca Connell (Barnsley), Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Dawson Devoy (MK Dons), Joe Hodge (Wolves), Will Smallbone (Stoke City, on loan from Southampton), Ross Tierney (Motherwell).
Forwards: Aaron Connolly (Venezia, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Evan Ferguson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode (MK Dons, on loan from Rotherham United), Liam Kerrigan (Como 1907), Ollie O’Neill (Fulham), Mipo Odubeko (Port Vale, on loan from West Ham United), Tyreik Wright (Bradford City, on loan from Aston Villa).
MATCH DETAILS:
First leg: Friday, September 23, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin @7pm
Second leg: Tuesday, September 27, Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv @7pm
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