Graham Burke will be plying his trade in England by the time the next Republic of Ireland squad is named, according to Soccer Republic analyst Alan Cawley.
The Shamrock Rovers attacker marked his first start for his country with a goal and in doing so added to the hype about his call-up to the squad.
Manager Martin O’Neill did not get overly excited about Burke’s display, saying some of the game had passed him by, but praised his attitude and said he had done okay.
Asked on the Soccer Republic Extra podcast whether Burke will be in the squad for the Nations League game with Denmark and Wales, Cawley said the 24-year-old has to move to the Championship next month for that to happen: "I don't think he will be in the squad unless he moves.
"That is what Martin O'Neill was alluding to. If there was a qualifier next week, would Burke be in the squad? I don't think so.
"There was a lot of withdrawals in this squad and new lads coming in. The timing was right, but had everyone been fit, he is way down the pecking order. Unfortunately for him and us in the league, that's the reality of the situation.
"He will get a call-up if he moves to a club like Preston. He will go, too, I think, because he looked comfortable on that stage. He will go to England and have a career there, no problem.
"I think Burke has the ability to do that but Martin O'Neill's perception of this league and how he views this league is a player can't be picked from here to go into his squad and play a qualifier."
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The former league winner at Shelbourne said the crisis at Limerick shows why it can be difficult to accept the League of Ireland as a standard for players to feature in competitive games at international level.
"That's sad for us to hear but it's the reality," Cawley said.
"You have to point out that earlier in this podcast we discussed a club that can't pay wages (Limerick) and the next discussion is picking a player to play for Ireland. I don't doubt one bit of his attacking game.
"I thought Martin O'Neill's comments on Burke's performance against USA were harsh. I felt was he was pre-empting a situation where the next game there will be a big clamour for Burke to be in the squad. It's inevitable but it was a way to dampen it a bit. But I think he will be in England by that stage."
Former Derry City boss Declan Devine, also speaking on this week’s episode, said working on his defensive game is the next step for Burke to improve.
"The boy has been sensational. His standard of goals, play, movement has been fantastic. I thought he played with freedom and confidence on Saturday which was incredible for a player from our league. He was saying 'just give me the ball' and he looked so confident on it.
"He was demanding the ball and the senior players were happy to give it to him. That was the pleasing aspect. The senior players trusted him. He looked the real deal for me.
"For me he needs to improve his overall defensive responsibility but again it depends with the team he plays with. At Shamrock Rovers he is very much the big fish, he is the main man. He is the guy that will light up a game for them.
"But when things are not going great, has he got that in his locker where he can roll his sleeves up and keep it tight. Martin wouldn't have played him in the game in the USA if he hadn't caught the eye. He looked as if he belonged."
