Szmodics is the top scorer in the championship.
Un-capped midfielder Sammie Szmodics has been called up to the Ireland squad by Stephen Kenny ahead of Ireland’s upcoming international matches against Greece and Gibraltar.
Szmodics, the 28-year-old Blackburn player, has been called up in place of the injured Aaron Connolly. An attacking midfielder, Szmodics has scored seven goals and contributed two assists for Blackburn, who are languishing in seventeenth in the Championship table.
Just look at the celebrations 😍@SamSzmodics bundles home for @Rovers!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/CkIcZqBrYH
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 28, 2023
Szmodics initially declared for Ireland in 2021 but due to a combination of shoulder issues and passport problems, the move ran into some roadblocks. It has all been resolved now, and that’s how Szmodics is available for selection for Stephen Kenny ahead of our upcoming Euro qualifier clashes.
A Colchester native, Szmodics’ has roots in Granard, county Longford where his late grandmother lived.
A dynamic attacking midfielder, he made a name for himself while at Peterborough between 2020 and 2022, where he scored 21 goals. He then made a €2 million move to Ewood Park at the beginning of last season, and has really come into his own recently.
Relatively small in stature, Szmodics is just 5 ft 6 in tall, but he is renowned for his pace and trickery. He certainly provides Stephen Kenny with more attacking options – something he has been crying out for.
Kenny was criticised for leaving Szmodics out of the initial squad last week but injury has forced the Ireland manager’s hand.
“He is somewhat unfortunate not to be in this squad,” Kenny said explaining his decision.
“Sammie is a versatile player, he played centre forward the other day, plays in midfield and on the left.
“I know he has probably played more than Callum Robinson, who has come back recently, but Callum knows exactly how we play and with three games to prepare for the game against Greece, I want to make sure everyone knows exactly where we are because we have had a lot of change,” said Kenny.
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