Sammie Szmodics set for limited initial role against Greece after belated Ireland call-up - Keith Treacy

When the latest Republic of Ireland squad was about to be named last week, the main point of intrigue was whether Sammie Szmodics would be included.

Stephen Kenny had first brought him into the Boys in Green fold for a June 2021 training camp which was ultimately curtailed by injury, while the 28-year-old's international clearance would eventually be confirmed earlier this year.

The Blackburn Rovers player has been in good goalscoring form in the Championship this season, netting seven goals in 11 games whilst operating as a false nine or attacking midfielder.

But that seemingly wasn't enough for him to earn inclusion in Kenny's original squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Greece and Gibraltar.

However, injury misfortune for the in-form Aaron Connolly has now led to a belated call-up for Szmodics ahead of the Greeks' visit to the Aviva Stadium on Friday (live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉfm's Game On).

But former Ireland and Blackburn midfielder Keith Treacy anticipates that his on-field role will be limited, at least initially, given the current positions he tends picks up now at club level where he plays centrally either as a deep-lying forward or supporting the central striker, while Evan Ferguson is primed to lead the Irish line with either one or two wide forwards beside him like Chiedozie Ogbene.

"I would struggle to see him starting. Out of all of the forward players we have, I do think Stephen Kenny will stick with three up front," Treacy told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast on Monday after hearing news of Szmodics' addition to the squad.

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