Former Republic of Ireland and Burnley midfielder Keith Treacy has tipped Dara Costelloe to become an option for Stephen Kenny's senior squad in the near future if he can build on his early promise.
Limerick native Costelloe has been thrust firmly into the Burnley first-team picture under Vincent Kompany this season, starting on his Championship debut on the opening night against Huddersfield late last month and earning praise from his manager and team-mate and Ireland midfielder Josh Cullen.
The 19-year-old, who started his career at Galway United, has since made two more appearances for the Clarets against Luton and Watford.
While a call-up to the Irish squad may not be imminent, Treacy has been impressed by what he has seen of the young Irish wide forward at his former club.
"I saw him playing in the opening game of the season against Huddersfield. He was really good," Treacy told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
Keith Treacy and Gary Rogers discussed the Irish abroad, the Premier League, LOI and Shamrock Rovers' next European tie on this week's episode
"(He's) a little bit raw and defensively maybe a little bit naive at times. But he's playing with a manager that knows the ins and outs.
"With these young forward-thinking managers (like Kompany), he's going to be taught where he needs to be and it's almost turning into a game of chess now with the tactics invovled.
"But as long as he's willing to learn and he keeps the enthusiasm he is, I think he'll be good because he looks like he's going to stay in the Burnley team. I think the performances he's put in the last two weeks have been decent enough.
"I don't think see any reason to change him so I think barring injuries, we can probably see him in the Irish squad soon enough."
Burnley will be in midweek action as will Rotherham United and Preston North End who face each other on Tuesday night with plenty of Irish interest in those Championship games given the contingent of current and potential Boys in Green involved.
Ireland forward Chiedozie Ogbene has been in good form in front of goal for Rotherham, scoring three goals in three in all competitions.
While he has often been fielded in the Irish forward line by manager Kenny, at Rotherham he often played wing-back when they were in League One last season.
But Treacy believes it is beneficial for player and country that his club is now playing him in attack in the Championship this season.
"Looking at it with Irish eyes, we want Ogbene playing as far up the pitch as possible," he said.
"The further he plays up the pitch the better for us. He's scored a few goals in the Championship already."
The former Blackburn midfielder, similarly to ex-Sunderland and Ireland striker Stephen Elliott, also tipped Ogbene to potentially play at a higher level than the English second tier.
"I'm a big fan of his. He could probably take the next step. I'm not saying he's going to jump into the Premier League but I do think that will come in his career at some point," said Treacy.
"I feel, no disrespect to Rotherham, he can take the next step outside Rotherham and branch out a little bit because he is a little bit raw and technically a little bit wanting but the tools and talent are there that can be worked with."
