Jim Crawford: 'Connolly wants to put on green shirt again'

Aaron Connolly has returned to the Republic of Ireland men's under-21 squad for the first time in three years for the upcoming UEFA European under-21 play-off matches with Israel.

Connolly (still eligible at 22) has not featured for Jim Crawford's side in qualifying so far as he had been involved in with the senior set-up, but has yet to score a senior international goal in his eight caps to date, the last of which came in January 2021.

"Aaron, with regards international football, has been a little bit of driftwood where he wasn't with the senior team or the 21s," said Crawford.

"He can score goals, he's a real threat, so to have him with the 21s for this game is great. For himself, it’s a chance to show people that he is still around and that he can produce in big games. And that’s what this play-off is, it’s a fantastic stage for him to be involved in."

"He done an interview a number of weeks ago which I looked at and he showed a level of maturity, he seemed remorseful with regards to how he behaved, whether it was at Brighton or what have you.

"It was something that got me thinking. I got somebody involved in the process to link in with him and just ask if he would be interested to play with the 21s. the answer I got back was 'yeah, certainly’. He wants to put on a green shirt again.

"That was a fantastic start."

Since leaving Brighton for pastures new in Venice at Serie B club Venezia, the Galwegian has appeared in five league games but has yet to find the net.

"I rang Aaron a few times, we’ve had conversations, we had a Zoom call yesterday. I just think it was important to stress to him and underline to him what got us to the play-offs.

"The group of players we have got have been fantastic up to now, but I think we all know