Dad Rory has encouraging update on Liam Delap’s Ireland potential

So you're saying there's a chance....

As such, there is still a glimmer of hope that he could line out for Ireland, like his father Rory, who won 11 caps after qualifying via his Irish parents.

While the likelihood is that England will nab the Chelsea striker, his Dad has stated that the decision will be entirely up to his son, and did not nail any colours to the mast.

Speaking with FourFourTwo, he said: “I’ve always stayed out of it. Liam has been involved with England since he was 13 or 14, they’ve been on to him and stuck by him when he had an injury, when he was 14 I think.

“He’s spoken to people in both camps, but I think he’s been with England all the way through to the under 21s now. It’s entirely his decision, though.

“If he wants my advice I’ll give it to him and to him only, and Finn also qualifies for both, so if it ever comes that he has to make the decision as well, it’s down to him and if he wants my advice I will give it to him.

“I try not to give advice to them generally unless they ask for it. Liam has asked for certain bits of advice over the years, and so have Finn and my daughter Neve.

“The better way for them is to find a way to deal with things themselves, but we all need help at times, and hopefully they know I’m only a phone call or conversation away from giving them that.”

If Delap performs poorly for his new London club and is not fancied by the Three Lions, and Ireland continue their resurgence under Heimir Hallgrimsson, there could be hope that he would choose the latter.