AS THE JACK Grealish saga rumbles on, Martin O’Neill is anxious to secure the international allegiance of another hot prospect — Arsenal midfielder Daniel Crowley.
O’Neill and Roy Keane have been monitoring the progress of Crowley, 18, who represented the Boys in Green at underage level before switching to his native England.
But the youngster is now reportedly considering a switch back to Ireland, and O’Neill has made contact with Crowley’s family to discuss his future.
“I spoke to his father and we had a very civil conversation. He’s a very, very pleasant man.
We would have a real, genuine interest in that. I think the young lad has really decent ability.
Born in Coventry but eligible through his Irish grandparents, Crowley — like Grealish — came up through the youth system at Aston Villa.
He signed professional terms with Arsenal a day after his 17th birthday and is currently on loan at League One Barnsley.
The conversation with Crowley’s father was promising, O’Neill indicated yesterday as he named a 40-man provisional squad for the games against Germany and Poland.
“I think there’s genuine goodwill about the situation but then again, I thought the meeting with Jack and his father was really fine. Whether that’s good enough to make someone make up their mind about something, that’s another issue, but it was a very civil conversation.”
He added:
He certainly looks as if he possesses the ability to go on and be a really decent player.
“He looks as if he wants to demand the ball as well which is great in someone so young and he looks to have a decent future.”
