There was a big surprise in Ireland U18 manager Jim Crawford's squad list for an upcoming four-team tournament in Spain, where the boys in green will take on Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic between November 9th-13th.
In a list that features players from West Ham, Southampton, and Newcastle, Rangers striker Matthew Shiels was named among the strikers despite representing Scotland at U16 and U17 levels, and he tweeted his excitement after the news was confirmed on Monday.
Delighted to be picked to play for the Republic of Ireland https://t.co/FTdTpWIU7J
— Matthew shiels (@matthewshiels1) November 6, 2017
While many Glasgow-born players have pulled on the Ireland jersey before, most notably Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy in recent times, it is not often you see Ireland internationals on the books at the Ibrox club. The young striker has featured in Rangers' development squad this season and has been training with the first team too.
Training pic.twitter.com/a1JX5kYdWv
— Matthew shiels (@matthewshiels1) August 17, 2017
Shiels - who qualifies for Ireland through both grandparents who are from Donegal - would still be able to play for Scotland further down the road, so another row between the Scottish and Irish football associations is unlikely for the moment, but this news will certainly raise a few eyebrows in Glasgow. Shiels is the only Scottish based player in Crawford's squad.
We wish Matthew Shiels all the best, he's excited to play for Ireland so hopefully he can bag a few goals in Spain next week.
Here is the squad list in full via FAI.ie:
Aaron Connolly (Brighton)
Aaron Bolger (Shamrock Rovers)
Adam Idah (Norwich)
Andy Lyons (Bohemians)
Brian Maher (St Patricks Ath)
Ciaran Brennan (Sheffield Wednesday)
Conor Coventry (West Ham United)
Gavin Kilkenny (Bournemouth)
Joe Redmond (Birmingham)
Jordan Doherty (Sheffield United)
Kameron Ledwidge (Southampton)
Kevin Healy (West Bromwich Albion)
Matthew Shiels (Rangers)
Michael Obafemi (Southampton)
Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United)
Richard O'Farrell (St Patricks Ath)
Rory Brown (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Rowan Roache (Blackpool)
Will Ferry (Southampton)
Will Smallbone (Southampton)
