Luca Connell has earned his first senior Republic of Ireland call up.
Mick McCarthy has included the 18-year-old in his provisional 23-man squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 group qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar.
Liverpool-born Connell made 15 appearances for Bolton this season, and has represented the Boys in Green at underage level.
Connell has caught the eye since breaking into Bolton's first team, and McCarthy says the teenager deserves the opportunity."Luca deserves this opportunity," McCarthy said today.
"With midfielders Conor Hourihane, Glenn Whelan and Josh Cullen all on play-off duty with their clubs in the coming weeks, this is the perfect chance to get Luca into the squad.
"He has had a fine season with Bolton, playing 15 times in total, and even with their relegation troubles, he has impressed so many people.
"I know a number of big clubs have sent scouts to watch him so this is a chance to get him in to work with the senior players and see how he gets on."
Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane, Richard Keogh, and Josh Cullen will link up with the Ireland squad after the EFL play-offs, but James Collins, Harry Arter, Jack Byrne, and Aiden O'Brien have all been omitted from the panel.
Republic of Ireland Squad Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Mark Travers, Sean McDermott
Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, John Egan, Kevin Long, Richard Keogh, Shane Duffy, Enda Stevens, Greg Cunningham Midfielders: Alan Judge, Alan Browne, Glenn Whelan, Jeff Hendrick, Conor Hourihane, Luca Connell, Josh Cullen, Robbie Brady, Callum O'Dowda, James McClean, Ronan Curtis
Forwards: David McGoldrick, Shane Long, Sean Maguire, Scott Hogan, Callum Robinson
Comments