Séamus Coleman Left Out of Ireland Squad for Nations League Matches
Séamus Coleman has been left out of Heimir Hallgrímsson’s latest Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League triple-header against Kosovo, Israel and Austria, as the long-time captain weighs up his club future.
The 37-year-old, released by Everton at the end of last season, remains without a club and has not been training with a team. Hallgrímsson made it clear the door is not closed, but for now, Coleman steps aside.
“Neither Séamus nor Robbie Brady have a club so we leave them out for this camp,” said the Ireland manager. “Séamus will be with us in the future, hopefully as a player. He hasn’t been training with a team so we felt it was appropriate that he sits this camp out. It was more Séamus’ decision as it would not be fair on other players.”
No Coleman. No Brady. A squad edging further into a new era.
New faces, big absences
Liam Kitching is the latest English-born, Irish-qualified player to be drafted in, called up to cover for injured captain Nathan Collins. The Brentford defender, sidelined with a calf problem, is expected to miss around five weeks, leaving a sizeable hole at the heart of the back line.
Into that space steps Kitching of Sheffield United, one of several players handed a significant opportunity in a squad that leans heavily on emerging and mid-career talent.
Up front, there is a first senior call-up for Owen Elding. The former Sligo Rovers attacker, who moved to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership last season, is in line for his first cap after a steady rise through the ranks.
Bosun Lawal is listed among the midfielders, joining Harvey Vale and Jayson Molumby in a busy central unit. Hallgrímsson clearly sees a long-term role for the Stoke City man.
“I hope so,” the manager said when asked if Lawal can nail down a place in midfield. “But he is injured. We rate him so highly that we feel it is necessary that we have him around the squad.”
So Lawal travels, even while not fully fit, underlining how highly the coaching staff regard his potential.
Sammie Szmodics misses out again, but there is a return for Rocco Vata after an injury lay-off. The Watford forward adds another attacking option for a schedule that will test Ireland’s depth and resilience.
Turmoil in Kosovo, talent in Israel
Ireland’s opening opponents, Kosovo, are dealing with a crisis of their own. Their preparations have been rocked by a very public fall-out between senior players and the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK).
“After 10 years, seven as captain, I will not be part of the Kosovo squad as long as the FKK is led by its current individuals,” said Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani, announcing his withdrawal.
He is not alone. Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Murić and Juventus midfielder Edon Zhegrova are also believed to have turned down call-ups to Franco Foda’s squad in solidarity. For Ireland, it is a volatile backdrop to next Thursday’s opener in Pristina.
Israel, who face Ireland twice in this campaign, named their squad earlier in the day. Head coach Ran Ben-Shimon has included Anan Khalaili, the Arab-Israeli wing back who has started brightly at Crystal Palace after his €25 million move from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. At Selhurst Park he works under Paddy McCarthy, who also serves on Hallgrímsson’s Ireland staff, adding an extra layer of familiarity.
Ajax playmaker Oscar Gloukh is also in the Israel squad for their fixtures against Austria in Linz, Ireland and Kosovo in Debrecen, before the return meeting with Ireland at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola. Gloukh featured against Shelbourne last month in the first leg of the Uefa Conference League qualifiers but did not get off the bench in the second leg at Tolka Park.
Back in Ireland, fans attempting to scout the opposition face their own obstacle: the official Israel football association website is geoblocked in the country.
Ireland squad in full
Goalkeepers:
- Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford)
- Max O’Leary (West Bromwich Albion)
- Gavin Bazunu (Bolton Wanderers)
Defenders:
- James Abankwah (Udinese)
- Joel Bagan (Cardiff City)
- Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers)
- John Egan (Hull City)
- Liam Kitching (Sheffield United)
- Ryan Manning (Southampton)
- Jake O’Brien (Everton)
- Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town)
- Liam Scales (Celtic)
Midfielders:
- Finn Azaz (Southampton)
- Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic)
- Jason Knight (Bristol City)
- Jamie McGrath (Hibernian)
- Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion)
- Harvey Vale (Queens Park Rangers)
- Bosun Lawal (Stoke City)
Forwards:
- Owen Elding (Hibernian)
- Adam Idah (Swansea City)
- Jack Moylan (Cardiff City)
- Chiedozie Ogbene (Lincoln City)
- Troy Parrott (Real Betis)
- Rocco Vata (Watford)
- Tom Cannon (Sheffield United)
The road ahead
Ireland open their Nations League campaign away to Kosovo in Pristina on Thursday, September 24th (7.45pm), before facing Israel in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday, September 27th (7.45pm).
Austria visit the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, October 1st (7.45pm), in what will be Ireland’s only true home fixture of the group, before Hallgrímsson’s side meet Israel again on neutral ground at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia, on Sunday, October 4th (7.45pm).
A squad without its long-serving captain. A group of hungry, unproven faces. Nations in turmoil and transition waiting on the other side. Hallgrímsson has made his call — now the question is whether this reshaped Ireland can turn a changing of the guard into a statement campaign.
