FORMER IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Kevin Kilbane would love to see Scott Hogan line out for the Boys in Green, but says they shouldn’t wait around if he’s not full-committed to the cause.
The Irish-qualified Brentford striker, 24, was recently contacted by Martin O’Neill about the possibility of linking up with the squad ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifying double-header.
However, Hogan declined the offer as he wants to focus on his club career for now, having returned to fitness in the latter stages of last season after two lengthy knee ligament injuries.
Retired Kilbane, who works as a pundit on Newstalk’s Off The Ball and BBC’s Match of the Day, has voiced his concerns despite admitting he is an admirer of the player.
“I have spoken about the ability he has,” said Kilbane. “He qualifies and can play for us, but there is that nagging thing in my mind — why don’t you make yourself available? Make the noise, tell Martin or Roy that you want to come and play for us.”
He went on: “You make the phone call, you ask the question. If he doesn’t want to play well thanks very much. If it changes, fair enough.
“But I think it’s always difficult for a manager who is being asked questions, other than making contact I don’t know what more a manager can do?
“We have other players in the squad, so what is this saying to the Daryl Murphys or the other strikers who are in the squad? All of a sudden someone comes in and they are left out as the manager has gone out on a limb to get him in.
“He’s made the contact, that’s enough. If you want to play, you play. If you don’t, you don’t. That’s the way I’ve always felt. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for Martin O’Neill to just move on now.
“If he does come and play for us further down the line, great. If he doesn’t, what more can you do?
“He’s in great form and I’d love to see him come play for us. We know that we’re short of goalscorers but I think that’s it now. The door is open for him, and if he wants to play for us then great but if not we move on.”
Kilbane also spoke glowingly about Ireland midfielder Harry Arter after another excellent performance in the Premier League last weekend.
The 26-year-old earned man-of-the-match in the Cherries’ 1-0 win over Everton and must be close to a starting place for the home qualifier with Georgia on 6 October.
“He does bring something different to the side,” said Kilbane. “It depends how we are going to play and it looks like the long-term plan is for the diamond shape. That suits his game, he can play as a holder at the bottom of the diamond, or on the right or the left.
“He has the ability to do that, I think it was highlighted with his performance against Everton at the weekend just how good he is.
“He’d have gone to the Euros (if fit) and I am convinced he would have played a key role. He would have played games, but we have all been there before with injuries and that dictates managers’ decisions. Throughout this campaign he could be a key player for us.”
Aviva’s FAI Junior Cup ambassador and former Irish international Kevin Kilbane was joined by Dundalk FC’s Brian Gartland and FAI Junior Cup holder, Sheriff YC’s, Adam McGuirk to launch Aviva’s sponsorship of this season’s competition at the Aviva Stadium yesterday
The FAI Junior Cup, which begins fully this weekend with Round Two following the preliminary Round One, sees over 600 teams competing on the #RoadToAviva in the hope of walking out in the Aviva Stadium for the Final in May 2017
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