Bradley hits out at Heimir over exclusion of Irish wonderkid in “meaningless” games

The Hoop's manager has previously made his feelings clear over the treatment of League of Ireland players from the FAI and Heimir Hallgrimsson, accusing the Icelander of being "out of touch" and "disrespectful".

These comments came after Shamrock Rovers impressive Europa Conference League campaign in 2024 where Hallgrimsson insinuated Ireland based players would have a better chance making his squad if they move clubs. Further clashes between the two coach's involved the proposition of a League of Ireland only camp - set two weeks before the beginning of the season.

Bradley's fury with Hallgrimsson this time regards the potential fast tracking of Ozhianvuna into the senior team set up before important qualifying campaigns in the future including Ireland's co-host tournament - Euro 2028.

Bradley has described Ozhianvuna as "Different" and praised his talents in comparison to the rest of the squad, "there's not one player in the Ireland set up down from the senior team to Victor's age that can do that, none of them".

If Ozhianvuna was called up he would've missed the champions important clash with newly promoted Dundalk. However, Bradley said: "I don't care, we need to be qualifying for tournaments. If it was any other nation around Europe they would be making headway for him, so he can be ready for the next camp".

Halgrimsson has alluded to the clash of schedules being the deciding factor of the inclusion of no League of Ireland players with games against Qatar and Canada at the end of May falling under the leagues international break.

"These games mean nothing. The future is now, play him now. You don't want to be blooding him in games that you have to win. I think they should put him in now so when the future comes he is ready. There's nobody that can tell me that kid doesn't deserve a spot, give him 10 minutes and he will show you why".