While there is nothing to play for in Ireland's friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland this month, the presence of one particular player in the squad has piqued the interest of Irish fans ahead of that pair of fixtures.
Sammie Szmodics may be 28-years old, but he has yet to make his international debut. He has experienced quite the rise in his career over the last few campaigns, impressing at Peterborough before earning a move to Blackburn Rovers.
Having initially performed to a decent level at Ewood Park, this season has seen the forward suddenly become the most prolific players in the Championship. He has already scored 27 goals in all competitions, a tally that is likely to grow over the coming weeks.
Szmodics was first included in an Ireland squad back in June of 2021, only to be forced to pull out. His next call-up came in October of last year, being a late addition to the panel having initially been left out by Stephen Kenny. However, the player would then be forced to withdraw due to personal reasons only two days into the camp.
The player would not be included in the squad for the November window, with Kenny saying on November 9th that Szmodics was not available for selection:
[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.
This would be Stephen Kenny's final Ireland squad, with the FAI opting not to renew his contract later that month.
However, the player himself has now seemingly disputed that version of events.
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Sammie Szmodics contradicts Kenny explanation for Ireland absence
Sammie Szmodics was speaking to the media at FAI headquarters today ahead of a likely Ireland debut this weekend, with the player being asked about the previous occasions he was forced to withdraw from selection.
He would go on to suggest that he was available for selection in November, something that would contradict the comments Stephen Kenny made at the time.
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.
Obviously you read Twitter and people question the fact if 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,
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 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.
Whatever the reason for his past absences, Sammie Szmodics is certainly keen to make an impression with Ireland moving forward.
He should be a valuable addition to a team that has often struggled to score goals in the past, with the game against Belgium his first opportunity to show what he can offer at international level.
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