Grading the Ireland players abroad for 2021-22

It's that time of year. Yes, the end of the season for 'winter' leagues but also that most unwelcome of interruptions for those unfortunate enough to have to go through them: Exams.

Obviously, on that front, students have to wait a bit longer to find out whether it's an A, B, C or... other letters.

But for the Irish contingent who have been part of the wider squad during Stephen Kenny's tenure, the grades can be delivered a bit more quickly.

While the League of Ireland is in the midst of the season, those playing in England, Scotland and Belgium are on hiatus for the summer at club level, although some of those listed below have a busy UEFA Nations League block of games to come in June.

But what sort of club form have these players been carrying across the 2021-22 season? Stephen Kenny will hand out his own grades in the form of Nations League squad places later, but here we've rated every Irish professional outside Ireland from A+ to C- with some leeway for younger players making a breakthrough.

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Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth) A

The Ireland number one had a loan spell in League One last season at Rochdale and was back for more this time with Portsmouth.

To say that the 20-year-old excelled with the opportunity to play regular football would be an understatement.

The Manchester City loanee won Pompey's Player of the Season award, having kept 17 clean sheets across the 46 invaluable appearances he made