Is there such a thing as a sad-face shamrock emoji?
Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has not named Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish in the Ireland squad to face England in a friendly international at the Aviva Stadium next month.
Grealish’s international future has been the subject of debate for a very long time and the debate has only intensified following his impressive performances for Aston Villa of late, including a Man of the Match display in Villa’s FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool.
The 19-year-old has been coy about his international intentions of late, but it had been anticipated that he would be named in the squad by O’Neill ahead of the crucial clash with Scotland on June 13.
At a press conference today, O’Neill intimated that Grealish did not want to make his mind up on his international future yet, which will come as a worry to Irish fans who fear they won’t see him make a senior appearance for the Boys in Green.
O'Neill: "I spoke to both Jack and his father and Jack didn't want to make his mind up at this stage."
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) May 12, 2015
O'Neill confirms Grealish was in his intended squad & is disappointed by his call – but still thinks 'good possibility' he'll play for Ire
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) May 12, 2015
O’Neill has named two new faces in a 33-man provisional squad, Aberdeen’s Adam Rooney and Brentford’s Alan Judge, with the squad set to be trimmed on June 1.
Ireland squad to play England:
1/4 Martin O’Neill has named a 33 man provisional squad for upcoming games with England and Scotland. Squad be shortened ahead of June 1st
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 12, 2015
2/4 Squad in full: Forde, Given, Westwood, Randolph, R. Keogh, Wilson, Coleman, Christie, O’Shea, Pearce, McShane, McCarthy #COYBIG
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 12, 2015
3/4, Hendrick, Ward, Arter, Whelan, McGeady, McClean, Judge, Brady, Pilkington, Quinn, Meyler, Hoolahan #COYBIG
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 12, 2015
4/4 Keane, Long, Murphy, Walters, Doyle, Stokes, McGoldrick, Rooney, Cox. #COYBIG
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 12, 2015
