Rangers and Scotland striker handed Ireland U18 call-up

Matthew Shiels is taking up the opportunity to represent the Boys in Green.

PROMISING YOUNG RANGERS striker Matthew Shiels has been named in the Ireland U18 squad for the first time, despite having previously played for Scotland at underage international level.

The 17-year-old has been capped by his native Scotland at U16 and U17 but has unexpectedly been included in Jim Crawford’s Ireland panel for an upcoming tournament.

If he was to pursue an international career with Ireland, Shiels would follow in the footsteps of Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy.

Shiels, who is part of the Rangers U20 development squad, is one of 16 UK-based players in Crawford’s 20-strong squad for this week’s quadrangular tournament in Spain.

Aaron Bolger (Shamrock Rovers), Andy Lyons (Bohemians), Brian Maher and Richard O’Farrell (both St Patrick’s Athletic) are the four home-based players included.

Ireland face Belgium on Thursday before games against Netherlands and Czech Republic over the weekend in Murcia.

Ireland U18 squad:

Aaron Connolly (Brighton), Aaron Bolger (Shamrock Rovers), Adam Idah (Norwich), Andy Lyons (Bohemians), Brian Maher (St Patrick’s Ath), Ciaran Brennan (Sheffield Wednesday), Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Gavin Kilkenny (Bournemouth), Joe Redmond (Birmingham), Jordan Doherty (Sheffield United), Kameron Ledwidge (Southampton), Kevin Healy (West Bromwich Albion), Matthew Shiels (Rangers), Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United), Richard O’Farrell (St Patrick’s Ath), Rory Brown (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rowan Roache (Blackpool), Will Ferry (Southampton), Will Smallbone (Southampton).