Mick McCarthy was in touch with Patrick Bamford last Saturday morning regarding the possibility to the Leeds striker playing for Ireland. The previous evening, Bamford had scored a brace as his side thrashed West Brom 4-0.
"It was just to congratulate him on his goals," said McCarthy.
"The one-two at the edge of the box was a sublime finish.
"I just asked him if wanted to join us and he said 'Yes' and I'm hoping to meet him. It's a matter of meeting him and just having a chat with him. I stressed to him that if he wants to be involved in June, we'll have to get it done as soon as possible."
McCarthy has not set any deadline for the 25-year-old to begin the process of switching his allegiance from England to Ireland.
I've just tried to get a date to meet him. Hopefully, I can before we travel to Gibraltar but that's not me setting him a deadline, saying 'It's got to be done before then' - that's just me trying to get it done.
McCarthy said that there was no update regarding Nathan Redmond. Last week, the Ireland manager said that he had been in contact with the Southampton winger's agent. However, he had been unsuccessful in setting up a meeting.
At a press conference on Thursday, following the announcement of his first squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers, McCarthy was asked regarding John O'Shea's call for Ireland to stop chasing players once the Bamford switch is done.
"We'll wait till he's sat in this chair, shall we?" said McCarthy.
It's amazing how people's opinion as a player and an ex-player change when you're in the hotseat.
England have done it. They chased one of our better ones - and they've took him [Declan Rice]. It's not only us that's doing it. Surely it's my job here to have the best team possible of players that qualify and that's what I'll continue to do.
McCarthy does not think the introduction of an English-born player into the squad would cause disruption.
"I've been in the dressing room when it happened, you might remember. I've actually walked into the dressing room and took someone's place who was born in Ireland.
"Did it cause any consternation and upset, I don't know - not with me. I played in '88 and '90. I had a pretty good time, to be honest. A lot of other guys who were in that squad weren't born in Ireland. I've never seen any trouble with it."
Picture credit: Sportsfile
