The Ireland boss has ‘find goalscorers’ at the top of his World Cup Qualifiers To-Do list.
Contemplating Ireland’s exit from Euro 2016, and the upcoming qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, one thought occupied Martin O’Neill more than most.
“When Robbie [Keane] doesn’t play, and obviously his career is in the latter stages, then we don’t actually have a natural goalscorer in that sense,” he said. “It would be nice to have a forward. We don’t have a Gareth Bale in that sense. We don’t have that.”
The Ireland captain turns 36 next week but has, in the past, insisted he would never retire from international football. He accepts that his career may be winding up but he will make himself available if ever his country come calling.
O’Neill was asked if he had his eye on any striking talents and came up with two names – Joe Mason [Wolves] and Scott Hogan [Brentford]. Here’s a little background to each man.
Joe Mason (45 goals in 195 club games)
Born: Plymouth in May 1991 (Age 25)
Clubs: Plymouth, Cardiff, Bolton (loan), Wolves
Ireland record: U19 – 6 caps, 2 goals; U21 – 3 caps
What he says about Ireland: “I don’t know if I’m in the manager’s thoughts but hopefully if I do well enough here, I will be. I think coming to a club like Wolves can help in that regard because I will have a bigger profile if I do well here. It’s up to me to try to bang in some goals.”
Scott Hogan (57 goals in 121 club games)
Born: Irlam, Salford in April 1992 (Age 24)
Clubs: Woodley, Halifax, Stocksbridge Park Steel, Ashtown United, Hyde, Rochdale, Brentford
Ireland record: He has not played underage for Ireland or England
What he says about Ireland: “I’m eligible to play for them but I’m a Brentford player and the last thing I’m thinking of is who I’m going to represent internationally. It’s getting ahead of myself a bit too much.”
A couple of handy talents. O’Neill will hope to get them in for a look later on this year.
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