Stephen Kenny admits he was 'tempted' to give Andrew Moran his chance

Andy Moran's rise to the Republic of Ireland senior setup looks like it will happen sooner rather than later, with Stephen Kenny admitting he was "very tempted" to elevate the teenager into his squad for the upcoming Euros qualifiers against Greece and Gibraltar.

Brighton and Hove Albion prospect Moran is currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers, who play an attractive brand of football under Jon Dahl Tomasson.

It suits the technically gifted midfielder, who's turning a lot of heads in the Championship after adapting comfortably to a high, intensely competitive level.

And Kenny is a huge admirer. In the bowels of the Aviva Stadium, after he'd revealed his squad for next week's double-header, the manager waxed lyrcial about the 19-year-old.

"Andy Moran is an absolutely excellent player. Excellent. Very good," he said.

"I was tempted to bring him in for this game [against Greece], very tempted. But if he came in, would he make the squad? Then you are taking away from the Under-21s. We'll see about Gibraltar, but he is a very good player.

"He has not played much as a senior footballer. It's hard to judge him in Brighton’s Under-21s when you are watching those games, it’s hard to equate that with senior international level.

"He started off by coming on for Brighton, but his performances last week [for Blackburn], when he got his two goals, I was at that game and it was an absolutely fantastic performance.

"I know Cardiff made 10 changes, but that was a real standout performance and I think he is going to be an excellent player for Ireland."

"We're lucky to have him in this window and I’d imagine sooner rather than later he’ll get that senior call-up."

Under-21s manager Jim Crawford was on media duties soon after Kenny, having named his