Manager Martin O’Neill will find room for second generation players - as long as they are truly committed to the Republic of Ireland cause.
Much speculation has surrounded the senior international futures of Jack Grealish, Patrick Bamford, Mark Noble, and Harry Kane, and O’Neill will gladly welcome anybody talented enough who expresses an interest in joining the Irish set-up.
“The best period in history for Ireland was when Jack (Charlton) was in charge,” O’Neill says. “Players like Andy Townsend, John Aldridge, and Ray Houghton were key to that success. My point is that I just want players who really want to play for us. That is what I want.”
Ireland host Poland in a critical UEFA European Championships qualifier at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday March 29 and O’Neill wants to ‘leave a legacy’ for his successor to build on.
“I would love to leave a legacy,” O’Neill admits. “I would love to leave some young players who came through in my tenure for the next person.
“Ideally they would be born in Dublin, Cork, Waterford or Galway, but that is certainly not to say I won’t consider second generation Irish players. I want to make that very clear.
“If a guy like Cyrus Christie or David McGoldrick comes along and expresses an interest in playing for Ireland of course we will want them.”
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