Wildcard picks for Ireland’s play-off squad to face Czechia 

Tomorrow, attention will be centered on Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad announcement for the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming World Cup playoff semi-final with Czechia, and the potential decider that could follow against either Denmark or North Macedonia.

1,024 Irish supporters will make the trip to Prague on March 26 in the hope of seeing their nation progress to a home final clash five days later. But who will be lining out for the Boys in Green?

Many will expect key players such as Nathan Collins, Caoimhín Kelleher, and the hero of Budapest, Troy Parrott, to feature in the final squad on Thursday.

But with injuries to other big hitters such as Evan Ferguson and Josh Cullen, the door is left open for a few unfamiliar faces to get a shot in the team.

From veterans to uncapped unknowns, these are only some of the names looking to break into the most important Ireland squad for many a year.

Jack Moylan: League of Ireland followers will be well aware of the quality that Jack Moylan possesses. A star for Shelbourne under Damien Duff, the 24-year-old has 18 goals in 78 appearances for League One table toppers Lincoln City, including an impressive nine goals this season.

Moylan is certainly hitting form at the right time and is becoming an influential playmaker in a thriving Imps team. Could he add to his growing reputation by earning an international call-up?

Oisin McEntee: Out of nowhere, Oisin McEntee has emerged as a key figure in a Hearts team looking to win a first Scottish top-flight title since 1960. Signed from Walsall last summer, the Cavan native, who was born in New York City, has established himself as a regular in a Jambos side currently leading the ever-changing title race in Scotland.

A versatile utility man capable of lining up at fullback or in midfield, the former Newcastle United academy prospect has enjoyed a stellar debut season in Edinburgh, which saw him score the winner against Celtic at Parkhead back in December. Despite only recently returning from injury, he could emerge as a useful option for Heimir Hallgrímsson to look at.

Dawson Devoy: Bidding to become the first homegrown player to feature for the Irish senior men’s team since Graham Burke back in 2018, Dawson Devoy has been tipped by many to break into the senior set-up, and follow Josh Honohan in receiving a call-up while playing in the League of Ireland; Honohan himself featured in an Ireland squad last year.

One of the standout League of Ireland players over the last couple of years, the Bohemians midfielder has been a revelation for his side, with boss Alan Reynolds even describing him as being ‘better than some who have already been capped’.

Ahead of Thursday’s squad announcement, this is one to keep an eye on.

Owen Elding: Another name familiar to League of Ireland followers, Owen Elding is viewed by many as a rising star in Irish football. The son of Sligo Rovers cup hero Anthony Elding, Owen followed in his father’s footsteps by featuring for Sligo 38 times, contributing 16 goals in that period, earning him the PFAI Young Player of the Year award last year.

Having moved to Hibernian in January, Elding has enjoyed a strong start to life in Edinburgh, already bagging two goals against St Mirren and Dundee respectively. Keep up that form, and factoring in current injury issues that Heimir Hallgrímsson has to contend with Elding could very well earn a first international call-up in the near future.

Harvey Vale: Having officially switched his international allegiance from England to the Republic of Ireland, Queens Park Rangers midfielder Harvey Vale is one to be excited about, and certainly gives Heimir Hallgrímsson a headache regarding his midfield selections.

A native of West Sussex, Vale is a product of the Chelsea academy, making seven appearances for the Blues, before enjoying loan spells with Hull City and Bristol Rovers.

But the European U19 Championship winner has found a home at Loftus Road.

David McGoldrick: The only player on this list to have featured for the Republic of Ireland senior team with 14 caps, McGoldrick is a beloved veteran of the game, yet seems to be enjoying the final stages of his distinguished career.

A 10-time Premier League goalscorer with Sheffield United, ‘Didzy’ as he is commonly referred to, is now the star attacker at Barnsley, managed by his former international teammate Conor Hourihane.

With 12 goals in his last 12 appearances, McGoldrick is on fire for the Tykes, yet he has reportedly not been named in the provisional squad for the World Cup playoffs. Regardless, McGoldrick has hinted at being interested in coming out of international retirement, and should any last-minute injuries to attackers appear, he could be a useful and experienced option to have for a defining five days.