Keith Treacy tips Burnley youngster Dara Costelloe to enter Ireland fold 'soon enough'

Former Republic of Ireland and Burnley midfielder Keith Treacy has tipped Dara Costelloe to become an option for Stephen Kenny's senior squad in the near future if he can build on his early promise.

Limerick native Costelloe has been thrust firmly into the Burnley first-team picture under Vincent Kompany this season, starting on his Championship debut on the opening night against Huddersfield late last month and earning praise from his manager and team-mate and Ireland midfielder Josh Cullen.

The 19-year-old, who started his career at Galway United, has since made two more appearances for the Clarets against Luton and Watford.

While a call-up to the Irish squad may not be imminent, Treacy has been impressed by what he has seen of the young Irish wide forward at his former club.

"I saw him playing in the opening game of the season against Huddersfield. He was really good," Treacy told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

Keith Treacy and Gary Rogers discussed the Irish abroad, the Premier League, LOI and Shamrock Rovers' next European tie on this week's episode

"(He's) a little bit raw and defensively maybe a little bit naive at times. But he's playing with a manager that knows the ins and outs.

"With these young forward-thinking managers (like Kompany), he's going to be taught where he needs to be and it's almost turning into a game of chess now with the tactics invovled.

"But as long as he's willing to learn and he keeps the enthusiasm he is, I think he'll be good because he looks like he's going to stay in the Burnley team. I think the performances he's put in the last two weeks have been decent enough.

"I don't think see any reason to change him so I think barring injuries, we can probably see him in the Irish squad soon enough."

Burnley