SAMMIE IS HOT STUFF
SAMMIE SZMODICS’ sensational goal scoring form is too hot to ignore.
And that’s why John O’shea is keen to get in touch with the Blackburn Rovers ace ahead of naming his first Ireland squad announcement on March 14.
Szmodics is the top scorer in the Championship this season with 19 goals and was involved in squads under Stephen Kenny.
But Szmodics remains uncapped having pulled out of
Kenny squads with injuries and citing personal reasons last October.
O’shea said yesterday: “He’s scoring lots of goals and is obviously a very important player for Blackburn.
“Young Andy Moran has linked up with him for plenty of goals as well this season. We will wait and see over the next couple of days.
“I purposely didn’t make contact with any of the players before this press conference.
“But there’s every chance I will be getting in touch with everyone available for the next two games over the next two, three days.”
Meanwhile, O’shea admits he has a dilemma on his hands over which goalkeeper to play against Belgium.
Gavin Bazunu was the No.1 under Stephen Kenny and is playing his part in Southampton’s impressive run to fourth in the Championship.
But Caoimhin Kelleher is finally clocking up a run of first-team games for Liverpool with Alisson Becker sidelined with injury.
And the Cork man’s timely return to the front line - including a brilliant Carabao Cup final performance - could be enough to see him start against Belgium.
O’shea said: “That’s obviously what we want; we want the players playing at a level that’s going to be testing themselves. Caoimhin has stood out over the last few weeks.
“Gavin has been showing amazing consistency in a Southampton team that in general has been doing very, very well.”