Killian Phillips Receives Late Call-Up for Republic of Ireland Squad
Killian Phillips has been handed a late chance to stake his claim with the Republic of Ireland after a double injury setback forced Heimir Hallgrimsson into a reshuffle.
The St Mirren midfielder has been drafted into the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, with Jamie McGrath and Harvey Vale both ruled out after picking up injuries on club duty at the weekend.
McGrath, with Hibernian, and Queens Park Rangers’ Vale each pulled up in the warm-up before their respective matches against Aberdeen and Preston North End. Any faint hope of recovery disappeared this morning when confirmation arrived that neither would be fit for the international window.
Ireland moved quickly. Phillips will report to camp in Dublin today, linking up with the group before they fly to Pristina for Thursday’s opener against Kosovo.
That trip kicks off a demanding schedule. The Boys in Green then head to Debrecen, Hungary, where they face Israel, before returning to Dublin for a home clash with Austria at the Aviva Stadium. The window closes with a second meeting against Israel, this time in Bačka Topola, Serbia.
Squad Overview
Hallgrimsson’s squad still carries a familiar spine.
Goalkeepers
- Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford)
- Max O'Leary (West Bromwich Albion)
- Gavin Bazunu (Bolton Wanderers)
Defenders
- James Abankwah (Udinese)
- Joel Bagan (Cardiff City)
- Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers)
- John Egan (Hull City)
- Liam Kitching (Sheffield United)
- Ryan Manning (Southampton)
- Jake O'Brien (Everton)
- Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town)
- Liam Scales (Celtic)
Midfielders
- Finn Azaz (Southampton)
- Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic)
- Jason Knight (Bristol City)
- Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion)
- Bosun Lawal (Stoke City)
- the newly called-up Phillips
Forwards
- Owen Elding (Hibernian)
- Adam Idah (Swansea City)
- Jack Moylan (Cardiff City)
- Chiedozie Ogbene (Lincoln City)
- Troy Parrott (Real Betis)
- Rocco Vata (Watford)
- Tom Cannon (Sheffield United)
Injury blows have opened the door. Now it’s up to Phillips and the rest of Ireland’s new wave to prove this reshaped squad can turn a disrupted window into a statement one.
