Glasgow-born Mikey Johnston named in Ireland squad for first time ahead of the visits of Latvia and France

Mikey Johnston has been named in the the Republic of Ireland's squad for the upcoming games against Latvia and France, just over a week after receiving FIFA international clearance to represent the Boys in Green.

The 23-year-old Glasgow-born Celtic winger is currently on loan at Portuguese Primeira Liga side Vitoria Guimaraes. He qualifies to play for Ireland through his grandfather, who was from Derry.

Kenny has previously talked up Johnston's "exciting" attributes - he looks very likely to make his debut in the friendly against the Latvians at the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday. Ireland will then open their Euro 2024 qualification campaign against beaten World Cup finalists France in Dublin on Monday 27 March.

There had been debate around Shane Duffy's chances of making the squad given his struggles to break into the Fulham team, but a calf injury has ruled him out regardless, while Enda Stevens is also absent due to a muscle problem.

Conor Hourihane, Robbie Brady and Swansea City's in-fomr wing-back Ryan Manning

Despite picking up a knock in Norwich City's draw at with Huddersfield on Wednesday night, Adam Idah is included alongside clubmate Andrew Omobamidele, with the duo looking for their first minutes in Green since November 2021.

Having both missed the November window through injury, midfielder Jason Knight and striker Will Keane are amongst the 26 players named. Fellow attacker Callum Robinson had already been ruled out last month after picking up a hamstring injury.

The Boys in Green were given a difficult task to secure automatic qualification for the Euros in Germany next year, taking on giants the Netherlands and World Cup finalists France.

Les Bleus will come to Dublin on Monday week after a clash with the Dutch in