Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford admits not having Andrew Moran available for Friday's crucial European Championship qualifier against Norway is a "loss" for his squad but is delighted that the attacking midfielder is making the step up to Stephen Kenny's senior team.
Moran, who has been impressing for Blackburn Rovers on loan from Brighton this season, was elevated into the Ireland senior squad on Tuesday amid injury concerns for a number of Kenny's players.
Moran has been a key figure for the U21s at the start of this Euro qualifying campaign, playing a captain's part as Crawford's side won their first three games on the trot, including an excellent strike in the 3-2 home win over Turkey in September.
But the 20-year-old call-up to Irish senior set-up means he will not be available for their clash against Norway in Drammen on Friday afternoon (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), nor the home fixture against Italy next Tuesday.
However, Crawford expressed joy for Moran and praised the work of his boyhood clubs Knocklyon United, St Joseph's Boys and League of Ireland side Bray Wanderers.
"It's a little bit of mixed feelings but ultimately it's about the player. I'm delighted for Andy," he said.
"He's been exceptional in the games he's played for Blackburn and we always sort of knew that it wouldn't be too long before he gets that senior call-up.
"But I think when he's in camp, which at the start when you're pieceing together your game plan, obviously Andy would be central to that.
"But he's got the call-up and we were made aware that there were a number of players in the senior team who had some issues and were waiting on scan results."
To replace Moran in his squad, Crawford in turn promoted St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Adam Murphy from the Under-19s. Fresh from winning the FAI Cup on Sunday, the 18-year-old had been due to link up with Tom Mohan's charges ahead of Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Albania in a U-19 Euro qualifier.
"We knew that Andy was next in but with regards to that, the knock on effect is that we had discussions with Tom Mohan and the '19s about us bringing in Adam Murphy and we knew we had to intercept him before he made that flight over to Albania by himself," said Crawford.
"Because immediately after playing the cup final, he was travelling with a couple of other players a day later than the rest of the '19s.
"So that had a knock-on effect on Tom's squad and he had to make late adjustments. But as you saw with Tom's group, they played extremely well against the host nation yesterday against Albania.
"But getting back to Andy, he is a loss but it's an opportunity for somebody else to step up."
On the injury front, Crawford said Norwich winger Tony Springett was the only doubt having come into camp with a knock, although he added that it was "nothing serious".
"He came in with a bit of a twinge in his back. The surface we're playing on, we're very much minding Tony at the minute but other than that everyone else is fine," he said.
And he is under no illusion about how difficult it will be for Ireland to make it four wins from four in the group given the strength of Norway.
"They're a very technical team. They're full of outstanding technical players," he said.
"To put everything into perspective, they've got Odin Holm who's played with Celtic's first team in the Champions League and in their own league in Scotland and he hasn't got into the team here much. It shows the strength.
"They're an immensely talented team and we spoke to a couple of the locals in and around the hotel and they have them as strong favourites.
"But it's certainly not the way we're viewing it. We've got a talented group here as well but it certainly makes for a really exciting contest."
Watch Norway Under-21 vs Republic of Ireland Under-21 in Euro 2025 qualifying on Friday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and follow a live blog on www.rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
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