Could Sammie Szmodics be tempted to abandon Ireland for a Euros opportunity?
Ireland are in danger of losing the Championship’s top scorer Sammie Szmodics after Hungary dangled the prospect of Euro finals exposure this summer.
The Blackburn Rovers talisman has yet to play a minute of international football at 28 despite declaring for Ireland through his late County Longford grandmother in 2001.
Passport issues, a shoulder injury and genuine personal matters conspired against the Colchester-born attacker being available for his Ireland debut and Hungary boss Marco Rossi has capitalised by tabling an invitation to audition for his Euro-bound squad.
The country which Szmodics is eligible for through his grandfather are grouped with Scotland, Switzerland and hosts Germany at the summer extravaganza in June.
Which candidate is confirmed as Ireland manager - and the decision will likely be made in the next fortnight - will be eager to also speak with Szmodics to ascertain his international allegiance.
He’s been in blistering form for Blackburn this season - collecting 16 goals in the league before adding a hat-trick in the FA Cup against Cambridge United last Saturday week. A bout of illness kept him out of Rovers’ trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Another contender to fill one of the supporting attacking berths in the upcoming new era for Ireland, Andy Moran, played the 90 minutes in the 4-1 defeat at the Hawthorns.
He’s on loan for the season from Brighton and Hove Albion and was the last debutant of Stephen Kenny’s regime, when introduced as a late sub in the draw against New Zealand in November.
Ireland have two friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland on March 23 and 26, while the Hungarians - with Liverpool playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai their great hope for the Euros - also planning a
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