New Ireland recruit Kevin Long received the Roy Keane seal of approval, which resulted in the Burnley centre-half being named in Martin O’Neill’s 38-man squad for the upcoming June internationals.
The former Cork City defender moved to Turf Moor seven years ago but saw very limited time in the Clarets jersey as a result of injuries and several loan spells away from the club.
In fact, the 26-year-old only made his first Premier League start two weeks ago against West Brom and followed that up with another appearance in the league at Bournemouth last weekend.
The timing of that first-team inclusion has worked out perfectly for the towering centre-half with international recognition ahead of next month’s international fixtures.
Ireland travel to the USA to play Mexico on 1 June, followed by another friendly fixture at the Aviva Stadium three days later against Uruguay, before O’Neill side face Austria in a vital World Cup qualifier on 11 June in Dublin.
With Ciaran Clark out, it is nice to have competition for places
"Roy saw him play last week and he said that you shouldn’t discount him," said Ireland manager O’Neill.
"He is a player who has had a host of injuries and has been loaned out. I think he actually made his debut last week so we’re just keeping a little eye on him.
"He didn’t do too badly in the game, so hopefully I’ll have a look at him in the game next week if he is playing.
"And with Ciaran Clark out, it is nice to have competition for places."
While Long, no doubt, will be delighted with his first international call-up, the player admitted last week, that it was not something that he was giving much thought, with all his focus remaining on his club form.
"To be honest I haven’t even been thinking about that," Long told the Lancashire Telegraph.
"I need to play on a consecutive basis at this club or another club, hopefully this club, for that to happen.
"It’s always an aim. It would be an honour to play for your country and I’d be buzzing if that happens."
Newcastle centre-half Clark was instrumental in the away victory for Ireland in Vienna last November but has been ruled out of the upcoming fixtures through injury.
And while Long’s inclusion could be interpreted as a like-for-like replacement, the Burnley man will have stiff competition to impress the manager with nine centre-halves named in the squad, including Marc Wilson who missed out on last summer’s European Championships through injury.
Long is the only new name in the 38-strong squad, and while the manager has named a very experienced and extensive defensive unit, O’Neill’s striking options remain limited.
The manager has chosen not to include two in-form goalscorers, Sean Maguire of Airtricity League Premier Division leaders Cork City, nor former Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan, who is playing in Poland for Jagiellonia Białystok.
Maguire has scored 11 league goals for runaway leaders City, however, the Ireland manager believes that there are players ahead of him in the goalscoring department.
"We are monitoring [Maguire] and if he continues to progress there's no reason why he can't make it," explained O’Neill at this morning’s press conference.
"But there are people ahead of him in terms of experience as much as anything."
Sheridan, likewise, has hit the ground running with his new club and has scored six league goals in his last ten appearances for the Polish joint league leaders.
"Of course, he is always a consideration," said O’Neill when probed about the Sheridan omission.
"Other people are ahead of him at this moment, but I’m certainly keeping a close eye on him."
Republic of Ireland squad for June internationals:
Republic of Ireland squad for three June fixtures:
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle, Rob Elliot, Keiren Westwood, Darren Randolph
Defenders: Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce, Paul McShane, Shane Duffy, John O'Shea , Andy Boyle, John Egan, Marc Wilson, Kevin Long, Stephen Ward, Matt Doherty.
Midfielders: Aiden McGeady, Glenn Whelan, Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady, Harry Arter, Conor Hourihane, Stephen Gleeson, Eunan O'Kane, James McCarthy, Darron Gibson, Liam Kelly, Wes Hoolahan, James McClean, Callum O'Dowda, Daryl Horgan, Jonathan Hayes
Forwards: Kevin Doyle, David McGoldrick, Daryl Murphy, Shane Long, Jonathan Walters, Adam Rooney
