EUROPEAN VACATION
Ireland starlet Connell cancels Dubai holiday to give himself an opportunity to force his way into Euro squad
Age Year born
LUCA CONNELL has cleared the decks in the hope of representing Ireland in the upcoming Euro 2020 double-header.
A shock call-up for this training camp in Portugal, the 18-year-old midfielder could yet be added to the mix if he impresses Mick Mccarthy on the Algarve.
“I had Dubai booked with my girlfriend,” revealed the chirpy Liverpudlian at the squad’s Quinta do Lago base yesterday.
“That was from
June 4-12 but with the senior games being on the 7th and
10th I’ve cancelled that just in the case in the gaffer wants me to go.” Ex-girlfriend now, surely? “Ah no! It’s a lot of money but this is an experience that money can’t buy. That’s no problem for me.”
Connell is on England’s radar while Spurs are one of four Premier League clubs keen on the midfielder who is out of contract at Bolton.
The Irish underage international qualifies
through his maternal grandparents – Margaret and Peter Simpson – who were both from Dublin.
“I’m just seeing how it pans out,” added the teenager. “My target is to get in the senior team, I want to crack on and hopefully I can make my debut. I’m just happy to play.”
Bolton managed to stave off Premier League interest in the midfielder in January and Connell progressed to make 12 FROM Knotty Ash in Liverpool, Luca Connell is a huge Everton fan and joined the Toffees as a kid.
But whatever about his international ambitions, he faces into an interesting summer with big clubs hovering.
Tottenham, Southampton, Burnley and Brighton are all keen, as are Rangers and boss Steven appearances for the Trotters.
But with the club placed into administration and relegated to League One, it was a steep and fast learning curve.
Connell said: “I hadn’t much involvement with the under23s at Bolton so it was basically from the 18s straight to the first team.
“There’s a big difference in quality. You’ve got get up to scratch as quick as you can.” Gerrard who is currently on holiday five minutes away from Ireland’s Algarve base.
Connell (left), who was released by Everton as a youngster before being snapped up by Bolton said: “Clubs were speaking to my agent who told me to concentrate on my football. It’s about playing and making best profile for myself as I can. We’ll see what happens and hopefully I can be successful.”