Blackburn goal-machine Sammie Szmodics has revealed that he was disappointed to hear Stephen Kenny say that he didn't stay in the Ireland camp in October because of "personal reasons."
Back in October, Ireland was getting ready to face Greece and Gibraltar, and Szmodics, who had the choice to represent Ireland or Hungary, was called into the Ireland camp but shortly left for personal reasons, as stated by former Ireland boss Stephen Kenny in October.
"[Szmodics] obviously had to leave on the second day of the last camp for personal reasons. Those personal reasons haven't changed. He just can't be away for ten days, so he can't be considered."
Nobody quite knew what those personal reasons were, and there had been speculation that the Blackburn goal machine had been waiting for a call from Hungary. However, Szmodics put those rumours to bed in the Ireland camp this week.
Szmodics' fine form for Blackburn has continued since Kenny's October comments, and to date, he has scored 27 goals in all competitions. He has now been called up to the Ireland squad by interim Ireland manager John O'Shea.
The Blackburn hotshot is eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland and Hungary through his ancestry, with a Longford Irish-born grandmother and a Hungarian-born grandfather.
"It wasn't even a decision for me... I've been fully focused on getting into the camps and into the squads"
Sammie Szmodics put to bed any suggestions that he might have looked to join up with Hungary as he addressed the media in Dublin today. pic.twitter.com/qZZxcCRYY5— AllIrishSport (@AllIrishSport) March 19, 2024
Szmodics revealed this week that he was disappointed to hear the comments from Kenny. The Blackburn striker claims that family came first for him, and there was no other reason for him not playing for Ireland in that time period.
"I was disappointed because the personal reason was only over that October camp. It was something; family comes first. I’m not going to speak about the issue. I had to go home. I had to get back," he said
"Obviously, you read Twitter, and people question the fact that you wanted to play for Ireland, which again is ridiculous because it’s something I wanted to do when I was 23 or 24 and got my passport. That October camp, I had to get back for my family."
He also added that not receiving a call for the November camp for the final Euro qualification fixtures was also disappointing. Nevertheless, Szmodics is now focused on the future and wants to grab his Ireland chance with both hands.
"I was disappointed for the November camp that I didn’t get the call, but ultimately it’s the manager’s decision, and I thought I was doing enough at the club level, but he chose to go with other people. The past is the past, and I’ve got to focus on this camp and future camps, and I’ve got to take the opportunity with both hands."
Republic of Ireland will take on Switzerland at Aviva Stadium on March 26
