Though the senior team's exploits have been mixed at best over the past few years, Ireland fans have cause for optimism with the exciting group of prospects coming through the underage ranks.
Among the brightest of those talents is 19-year-old winger Rocco Vata.
Vata has already been capped at U21 level for Ireland and was an important presence earlier this year as the squad came up agonisingly short of a place at next summer's European Championships.
The youngster scored five goals in four appearances in the qualifying campaign and has caught the eye of Ireland supporters with his performances since U15 level.
Born in Glasgow, Vata is also eligible for the country of his birth, as well as his father's native Albania, but has represented Ireland right up through the underage ranks.
Vata secured a move to Watford over the summer, departing Celtic after 12 years with the Glaswegian giants.
In an intriguing interview this week, one of Vata's teammates Ryan Porteous admitted he wants to convince the 19-year-old to declare for Scotland at senior level.
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Ryan Porteous trying to tempt Rocco Vata to defect from Ireland
10 September 2024; Rocco Vata of Republic of Ireland breaks clear from Kristers Penkevics of Latvia during the UEFA European U21 Championship qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Latvia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Rocco Vata has been in impressive form for Watford of late, slowly making his mark on the Championship side. He has a goal and assist in his last two appearances, with the Hornets just outside the playoff places on goal difference.
His performances have caught the eye of teammate and Scotland international Ryan Porteous who, like Vata, moved to Watford from Scotland. The ex-Hibs centre-back played against Vata on his Celtic debut in 2022.
In an interview with the Watford Observer this week, Porteous admitted that he intended to try to persuade Vata to turn his back on Ireland and switch allegiances to Scotland.
I spoke to a lot of people in Scotland before he came here and I was aware he was a top player. He’s still very young and not played a lot of first-team games, but he’s one of those players who will get fans off their seats. Give him the ball and he comes alive.
It’s refreshing to see someone that’s like that, and he’s probably the winger that Scotland could probably do with. I’m not sure if he has completely chosen Ireland yet – I’ve not had that conversation with him but I’m going to!
If he keeps playing as the way he is now for the next couple of years then I reckon there’s a left winger space in the Scotland team if he wants it!
Vata has given no indication that he intends to turn his back on Ireland but, should Scotland be able to offer him senior international caps, a decision may have to be made.
In an interview with the Irish Mirror earlier this year, Vata's father Rudi - himself a former Celtic and Albania player - said that he had not discussed his son's future at international level. Though he said he would be happy to see Rocco play for any of the four countries he is eligbile for (he can also play for Montenegro), he said his son had enjoyed his time thus far in the Ireland setup.
When Ireland knocked on the door, I had to ask him and he said yes. He was a 14-year-old boy. I said, go, because it’s a good experience, you will meet up with new people in a new country, you will have new friends, and that experience will help you to become stronger mentally.
I think that experience has helped Rocco a lot. He has been getting the right treatment and he seems to be happy. As long as he continues to grow and is happy with how he is working, then let it be.
Ireland fans will certainly hope that Rocco Vata will remain loyal, though he will no doubt have suitors testing him over the coming years.
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