In-form Blackburn player Sam Szmodics in line for Ireland call-up as move gets all-clear
Stephen Kenny has been busy recently.
And his work has provided him with two new players ahead of Ireland's upcoming international games against Latvia and France.
First of all, Celtic winger Mikey Johnston's move from Scotland was approved by FIFA while, after some passport issues, Blackburn playmaker Sammie Szmodics has also had his move to the Republic of Ireland rubber-stamped.
Szmodics has been in top form for Blackburn Rovers recently, and he's played a key role in the red-hot-run that has seen them rise to fourth in the Championship.
The 27-year-old has scored four League goals so far but his finest hour came in the FA Cup, when scoring against Leicester City as the Rovers qualified for the last eight of the competition. He was also named man-of-the-match in that game.
Just look at the celebrations 😍@SamSzmodics bundles home for @Rovers!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/CkIcZqBrYH
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 28, 2023
Szmodics initially declared for Ireland in 2021 but due to a combination of shoulder issues and passport problems, the move ran into some roadblocks. It has all been resolved now, however, according to the Lancashire Telegraph, so Szmodics will be available for selection for Stephen Kenny later this month.
A Colchester native, Szmodics' has roots in Granard, county Longford where his late grandmother lived.
A dynamic attacking midfielder, he made a name for himself while at Peterborough between 2020 and 2022, where he scored 21 goals. He then made a €2 million move to Ewood Park at the beginning of last season, and has really come into his own recently.
Relatively small in stature, Szmodics is just 5 ft 6 in tall, but he is renowned for his pace and trickery. On the back of his and Johsnton's moves, it certainly provides Stephen Kenny with more attacking options - something he has been crying out for.
