Séamus Coleman Left Out of Ireland Squad for Nations League
Séamus Coleman has been left out of Heimir Hallgrímsson’s Republic of Ireland squad for next month’s Nations League games against Kosovo, Israel and Austria – but the Ireland manager insists the door is not closed on his long-serving captain.
Coleman, 37, has been without a club since leaving Everton at the end of last season and has not been training with a team, a key factor in the decision.
“Neither Séamus nor Robbie Brady have a club so we leave them out for this camp,” Hallgrímsson said. “Séamus will be with us in the future, hopefully as a player. He hasn’t been training with a team so we felt it was appropriate that he sits this camp out. It was more Séamus’ decision as it would not be fair on other players.”
Coleman’s absence strips experience from a squad already dealing with injuries, most notably to Nathan Collins. The Brentford defender and Ireland captain misses out with a calf problem and is expected to be sidelined for around five weeks.
In his place, Liam Kitching becomes the latest English-born, Irish-qualified player to be drafted in. The Sheffield United defender joins a back line that also includes James Abankwah, Joel Bagan, Jimmy Dunne, John Egan, Ryan Manning, Jake O’Brien, Dara O’Shea and Liam Scales.
New Faces and a Midfield Gamble
Up front, there is a fresh edge. Owen Elding, the former Sligo Rovers attacker who moved to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership last season, is set for his first senior cap. He joins an attacking group of Adam Idah, Jack Moylan, Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott, Rocco Vata and Tom Cannon.
Bosun Lawal is listed as a midfielder alongside Harvey Vale and Jayson Molumby, with Hallgrímsson clearly keen to accelerate his development in that role.
“I hope so,” the manager said when asked if Lawal can establish himself in midfield. “But he is injured. We rate him so highly that we feel it is necessary that we have him around the squad.”
The call underlines Ireland’s long-term view, even in a competitive window. Sammie Szmodics misses out again, but Rocco Vata returns after an injury lay-off to bolster the forward options.
The midfield unit is rounded out by Finn Azaz, Conor Coventry, Jason Knight, Jamie McGrath and Molumby, with Lawal and Vale adding versatility and energy.
Israel name star power, Kosovo in turmoil
While Ireland juggle injuries and transition, their Nations League opponents arrive with their own storylines.
Israel head coach Ran Ben-Shimon named his squad earlier on Thursday, including Anan Khalaili, the Arab-Israeli wing-back who has started brightly at Crystal Palace following his €25 million move from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. At Selhurst Park he works under Paddy McCarthy, who also serves on Ireland’s coaching staff, adding an intriguing sub-plot to the meetings ahead.
Ajax playmaker Oscar Gloukh is also included. He will be central to Israel’s plans for their games against Austria in Linz, Ireland and Kosovo in Debrecen, before they face Ireland again in Bačka Topola. Gloukh featured against Shelbourne last month in the first leg of the Uefa Conference League qualifiers but remained on the bench for the return match at Tolka Park.
Back in Ireland, fans looking for detail on Israel’s preparations face a modern twist: the official Israel Football Association website is geoblocked in Ireland.
If Israel look settled, Kosovo are anything but. Their build-up to next Thursday’s opener against Ireland in Pristina has been rocked by a very public internal crisis.
Napoli defender Amir Rrahamni has withdrawn from the squad in protest at the current leadership of the Football Federation of Kosovo.
“After 10 years, seven as captain, I will not be part of the Kosovo squad as long as the FKK is led by its current individuals,” Rrahamni declared.
His stance has sparked a wave of solidarity. Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Murić and Juventus midfielder Edon Zhegrova are also believed to have declined call-ups to Franco Foda’s panel, leaving Kosovo stripped of some of their biggest names just as the competition begins.
For Ireland, that turmoil could present an opening on matchday one. It also sharpens the pressure: anything less than a strong start in Pristina would feel like a missed opportunity.
Republic of Ireland squad in full
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), Jamie McGrath (Hibernian), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Harvey Vale (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City)
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)
Ireland’s Nations League fixtures
- Thursday, September 24: Kosovo v Republic of Ireland, Pristina, 7.45pm
- Sunday, September 27: Israel v Republic of Ireland, Debrecen, Hungary, 7.45pm
- Thursday, October 1: Republic of Ireland v Austria, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
- Sunday, October 4: Israel v Republic of Ireland, Bačka Topola, Serbia, 7.45pm
Coleman will watch this chapter from the outside. The question now is whether this reshaped Ireland squad can make enough noise in his absence to change the rhythm of their campaign.
