Connor O'Riordan in Ireland U21s squad after Scottish U-turn

Defender Connor O'Riordan has been named in the Republic of Ireland Under-21s squad days after being included in Scotland's Under-21s panel.

O'Riordan has been capped once with the Ireland Under-21s, but Scot Gemmill brought the player into the Scottish fold seemingly in the belief he was ready to switch allegiances.

In another U-turn, O'Riordan has now been locked into Jim Crawford's squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Latvia in Riga on Friday week.

"I didn't have an inkling, but these things happen at underage football more so," Crawford said of O'Riordan's Scotland call-up.

"It's one of them, we had the conversation. All I can say is that he is desperate to play for the Republic of Ireland, desperate to. That's the type of player you want here.

"He is a player that is playing well. He's a big centre back that is dominant in both boxes, that is something we might need in this game against Latvia who are very good at set-pieces, aggressive, and have a lot of good players with regards counterattacking football."

The Boys in Green started their campaign with back-to-back wins against Turkey and San Marino at Turner's Cross. They will travel to Latvia keen to keep the momentum going.

Captain Joe Hodge is back after missing the last camp with an injury, while as FC Zurich's Armstrong Oko-Flex also returns.

Sinclair Armstrong, who made his senior debut against the Netherlands last month before scoring his first Under-21s goal against San Marino, stays with Crawford's team.

Andrew Moran - the highly talented Brighton midfielder currently shining on loan at Blackburn Rovers - is also in the mix.

"Andy is a fantastic person first and foremost," Crawford added. "He came in as vice-captain with the Under-21s