Connor O'Riordan snubs Scotland for Ireland as former Raith Rovers star explains U21 decision to boss

Jim Crawford was always confident Connor O’Riordan wasn’t going to defect from Ireland to Scotland’s Under-21 team.

The former Raith Rovers defender was named in Scots boss Scot Gemmill’s squad for the Euro qualifiers with Hungary and Malta later this month. The 19-year-old was then named in the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21 squad for their qualifier with Latvia and has decided to take that up, having already played a friendly against Kuwait and represented them at Under-20 level.

Crewe defender O’Riordan is eligible to play for Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Republic of Ireland boss Crawford confirmed: “His exact words to me were 'I want to fight for my place with the Republic of Ireland'. That will do for me.

“Somebody of Connor's ability, it doesn’t surprise me (he was called up by Scotland), because it does go on at international football where he hasn't played a competitive game so someone will come in say 'we will take you on'. I had the phone call with him and he's certainly all about playing for the Republic of Ireland. I'm delighted to have him."

"I didn't have an inkling (of the Scotland call-up), but these things happen at underage football more so. 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."