Is Scott Hogan the man to solve Martin O’Neill’s striker crisis?
With Robbie Keane retired, Shane Long’s recent bad luck with injuries and Daryl Murphy far from prolific on the international stage, O’Neill could do with a proven goalscorer as the Republic of Ireland look to bolster their chances of reaching the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Brentford’s Hogan may be the man to inject some much-needed goals into the Irish squad but first, he must make up his mind with regards to whether he wants to represent Ireland, for whom he is eligible thanks to his two Irish grandparents, or his native England.
Eight goals in 13 games for the Bees this season has Hogan firmly on O’Neill’s radar but the forward has requested more time so that he can concentrate on his club duties.
Watch: Yet more proof that Scott Hogan needs to be called up to the Ireland squad https://t.co/ymXZKeXEBV
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 17, 2016
What he’s not doing, according to Brentford teammate Alan Judge, is holding out for an England call-up.
Judge, who made his Republic of Ireland debut in March, is confident that Hogan will opt for the green jersey when the time comes to make the call.
“I honestly don’t think he is holding out for an offer from England or anyone else, it is genuinely a case where he had two seasons out with injury and he has to look after himself,” Judge, recovering from a broken leg, told the Herald.
“I think he will come and play for us, he’s not stalling for a better offer, he has the right to take his time after two years of hell with injury. He’s played every minute of every game for us this season so he sees the international breaks as a chance to recover.
“If he does come and play for Ireland, he will be worth waiting for. He’s a good striker, quick and strong and he’s a natural goalscorer.”
Here’s hoping that Hogan doesn’t go and pull a Grealish on us.
Colm Parkinson is joined by Paul Rouse for a heated debate about Sky Sports’ five-year GAA deal and an exclusive chat with AFL star Zach Tuohy on the new GAA Hour. Subscribe here on iTunes
