Martin O’Neill confirms talented Reading youngster rejected Ireland call-up

He wants to keep his options open apparently.

Martin O'Neill has pumped new blood into his Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Turkey, but one face who turned down the chance of turning out in green was Liam Kelly. O'Neill has confirmed that the Reading midfielder rejected a call-up to the Ireland squad, with the highly-rated 22-year-old preferring to keep his options open in case England come calling.

“I think wants to keep his options open at this minute,” O'Neill is quoted as saying in The Irish Times.

“Obviously, he’s born in England and wants to keep those options open and that’s fine. I did actually leave a message or two and he got back to me by text.

“Despite the fact that I knew where he was born, I thought that was okay. I spoke to his agent some quite considerable time ago and I think that was always going to be okay I felt (but) I’ve always said here it’s the player’s choice; it’s exactly what it is and if he wants to think that England might come in, that’s entirely his decision.”

It's a blow for Ireland considering the exciting crop of new talent O'Neill has at his disposal for Friday's clash with Turkey. To have Kelly, too, considering he has been a bright spark in Reading's season, would have been an added boost. There are eight uncapped players in O'Neill's 25-man panel, including McCarey, Kieran O'Hara, Matt Doherty, Declan Rice, Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams, Enda Stevens and Scott Hogan. O'Hara and Rice will also link up with the Ireland Under 21s for the UEFA European Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan on Tuesday, March 27 in Tallaght Stadium.