While the identity of the next Ireland manager still remains unclear, whoever does get the job will no doubt look to make some changes to the side moving forward.
It is obvious that the team could do with a shakeup, especially in terms of its tactical approach. Some of that could be helped by a change in personnel.
Sammie Szmodics and Finn Azaz both made their international debuts this month, two players who should make an impact over the coming seasons. You can expect more players to be added to that list moving forward, especially with some promising young footballers coming through.
Here are four players that the next Ireland manager could look to fast track into the senior squad.
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Four players next Ireland manager could bring into squad
Bosun Lawal (Celtic - On loan at Fleetwood Town)
Looking at the current Ireland squad, the main thing that is lacking is a physically imposing holding midfielder.
Josh Cullen is excellent in that deeper role, although he does lack somewhat when it comes to physicality. Without such a player, Ireland have often been cut open far too easily, especially on the counterattack.
Bosun Lawal seems like a natural fit for the role.
Capable of playing as both a centre back and holding midfielder, he has been in brilliant form since joining Fleetwood Town on loan from Celtic. At 20-years old, he has made 35 appearances and score four goals in League One this season. He has also impressed whenever he has played for the Irish U21s, playing the full 90 minutes in each of their games in the current Euro qualifying campaign.
Lawal has not been given an opportunity to impress at Celtic, although that may come next season. In any case, he is someone that has the potential to make an immediate impact in the Ireland squad.
Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace - On loan at RWD Molenbeek)
Ireland are not blessed with options at left back at the minute.
Ryan Manning and Robbie Brady were the two options in that role in the most recent squad, while Matt Doherty is also capable of deputising there. However, it is clear that another player will need to be added in that position in the near future.
Tayo Adaramola has had a stuttering start to his career in first team football, struggling to make a breakthrough at Crystal Palace and having an unsuccessful loan spell at Coventry City.
However, he is still an enticing prospect. The 20-year old has impressed since joining Belgian club RWD Molenbeek on loan in January. That is the same club Jake O'Brien made his mark at last season before earning the move to Lyon.
If he can continue to progress over the coming months, it might not be too long before we see him in a senior squad.
Rocco Vata (Celtic)
Rocco Vata is the youngest player on this list, but he might also be the one with the most potential.
The 18-year old is one of the brightest prospects Celtic have produced in quite some time, with many confused as to why he has not been given more opportunities at first team level. He has drawn plenty of interest from a number of big names clubs on the continent.
An exciting winger, Vata has scored five goals in his two Ireland caps at U21 level, with both games against San Marino. He scored a hat-trick in their meeting last week.
San Marino 0-5 Republic of Ireland
Rocco Vata with the goal of the game as he advances forward and unleashes to the bottom corner of the San Marino net – his second in a matter of minutes.
RTÉ News channel and RTÉ Player https://t.co/MAhK8HZ6qV pic.twitter.com/SFMxQ2J4ou— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 22, 2024
It remains to be seen where Vata will be playing his club football next season, with his Celtic deal set to expire at the end of the season. If he gets a consistent run of first team football, we could see him brought into the squad at some stage in 2024.
Joe Hodge (Wolves - On loan at QPR)
As mentioned above, midfield remains a problem position for Ireland. They do not have a whole host of options in that area as things currently stand.
Joe Hodge is a very different type of player to Bosun Lawal, but he also could potentially solve a problem in the side. His ability on the ball is something that not many other Irish player possess.
The 21-year old had a horrific time with injuries over a couple of years ago, although those issue now seem to be behind him. He has been in and around the Wolves team for a while now, going on to join QPR on loan in January.
The captain of the Ireland U21 side, Hodge was a late addition to the senior squad for the game against Switzerland earlier this week.
If he can thrive at club level, he should be a more permanent fixture in the squad at that level in the near future.
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