Brighton striker Aaron Connolly has changed the mind of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy with his performance against Spurs.
Aaron Connolly (19) scored two goals in an overall electric display in Brighton’s 3 – 0 victory over the weekend.
The Galway teenager has played himself into the public consciousness as well as into contention for the Ireland senior team.
That is not something Aaron Connolly enjoyed before he burst onto the scene. When asked about Connolly previously, McCarthy listed a number of players who were ahead of him in the pecking order.
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However, things move fast in football. Connolly’s stock has risen such that McCarthy said he wouldn’t consider it a risk to play him in Ireland’s UEFA Euro Qualifier against Georgia on Saturday. A promotion from the U21 squad could be forthcoming, although McCarthy was eager to stress that he does not yet know the player.
“Do you know, I’m just delighted that he has done really well. It’s a good option, that if I want to play him I can,” said McCarthy.
“He plays with personality and the fact that he comes in here on a high with some momentum after scoring two at the weekend, that’s nice as well. That will give some confidence but then we have had some others who have scored at the weekend which is great.
“I’ve also said that if someone gets in the first team in the Premier League and is scoring goals, then he has every chance of getting in the team.
“So that kind of neutralises the first comment in my mind. This was all on the back of Aaron playing well in the 21s and Troy Parrott playing well in the 21s.”
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“I’ve said all along if you are playing in the Premier League and scoring goals, then you have a chance.”
“I’ll watch him in training, and I’ll sit down and chat to see what kind of lad he is. If he plays in either of the games I’ll be better able to tell you, as I barely know him.
“To judge him on what little I know of him now would be wrong, except that he’s an exciting prospect.”
Ireland are 11/10 to beat Georgia on Saturday with Paddy Power.
