Scott Hogan offers timely reminder to Martin O’Neill with scintillating display

Martin O'Neill will be licking his lips.

It emerged last week that Aston Villa striker Scott Hogan would declare for the Republic of Ireland.  In an area that Ireland are lacking, with Jon Walters pushing on, the 24-year-old's introduction to the squad ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifier games against Georgia and Serbia was a huge boost. The Salford born Hogan appears to be rounding into form at just the right time, as he got off to a blistering start in the Villain's EFL Cup game against Wigan on Tuesday night. The Irish members of the Aston Villa squad are firing on all cylinders recently, with Conor Hourihane notching a sumptuous hat-trick in the league at the weekend. https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/900086599932944386 Hogan was on the score sheet twice before the 44th minute of the game as he helped to fire Steve Bruce's men into a 4-1 lead in their tie. https://twitter.com/AVFCchats/status/900080704209510400 There was a bit of uncertainty surrounding the whole Hogan saga, with Irish football fans getting impatient with the forward after his initial hesitancy to declare. Of course, the assumption was that the Salford born footballer was waiting on a call up to the England squad but eventually it was announced that his intention was to play for the boys in green. Republic of Ireland fans are in optimistic mood, especially considering the recent exploits of Sean Maguire for Preston North End. https://twitter.com/Jayoconnor8/status/900082248900374528 That's what we want to hear. https://twitter.com/dirk1978/status/900081727439331328 Get in.