Crawford announces squads for European qualifiers

JIM CRAWFORD has announced his Republic of Ireland Under 21 panel ahead of their UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualification clash with Luxembourg at Tallaght Stadium on Friday, October 8.

The Tallaght man has also named an extended squad for the qualifier away to Montenegro on Tuesday, October 12.

With Montenegro on the UK and German red list, current Covid-19 travel restrictions mean Crawford could well be leading a home-based squad to Podgorica.

Indeed, under the current guidelines in Britain and Germany, any UK or German-based Ireland Under-21 player would be forced to undergo a period in quarantine before returning to their clubs if they travel to Montenegro for the second game of this international window.

Included in the line-up for the visit of Luxembourg is Brighton and Hove Albion forward Andrew Moran.

The former Knocklyon United player was handed a first call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad for last month’s international window that saw Crawford’s side beat Bosnia & Herzegovina before battling out a 1-1 draw with Luxembourg.

Moran is also named on the extended squad for the game against Montenegro along with three Shamrock Rovers players Darragh Nugent, Brandon Kavanagh and Dean Williams, all of whom are currently out on loan.