O’neill eyes up Bamford as Murphy replacement
IRELAND BOSS KEEN TO ADD TO ATTACKING OPTIONS
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL
The Ireland boss is on the lookout for fresh talent ahead of the UEFA Nations League series which starts in September.
Murphy, 34, played in 10 of Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers and started both legs of the play-off defeat to Denmark in November.
O’neill admits he does not have a striker in the ilk of the Nottingham Forest frontman having named Shane Long, Scott Hogan and Sean Maguire as his attackers for the friendly against Turkey on March 23.
None of those three carry the height or power of Murphy, depriving O’neill of a statuesque figure for the direct style he favours most.
Bamford, who has scored 11 goals in his last five Championship matches for Boro, fits the bill and is eligible. Despite being born in Lincolnshire, the 24-year-old represented Ireland at U18 level through his maternal grandparents before switching to England.
He has lined out for his birth country up to U21 level but is awaiting a senior call-up.
Bamford began his career at Forest and his scoring prowess earned him a €1.6million move to Chelsea in 2013.
He failed to break into their side, instead gaining Premier League experience on loan at Crystal Palace and Norwich City before Middlesbrough paid out €6million for him 15 months ago.
O’neill is a fan of the 6ft 1in target man and appears keen to get him on board. “Bamford is one of the Boro players in form and I watched him recently,” said O’neill.
“I haven’t had contact with him but if someone is showing an inclination – and their career with another country is well down the list – then it is certainly something I would consider. We don’t have a direct replacement for Murph so I wouldn’t discount it.”
Other Championship strikers who have indicated their desire to jump from England are Will Keane and Callum Robinson.
Keane has just returned to the Hull City squad following a serious knee injury while Robinson has flourished alongside the Irish colony at Preston North End.