Soccer

Celtic’s O’Connell eager to impress against German under-21s

Cork full back one of SPL champions’ few successes this season

Possible Republic of Ireland full-international Jack Grealish celebrates scoring for the country’s Under-21s against the Faroe Islands Under-21s at the Showgrounds in Sligo. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Possible Republic of Ireland full-international Jack Grealish celebrates scoring for the country’s Under-21s against the Faroe Islands Under-21s at the Showgrounds in Sligo. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Fri Sept 05 2014 - 01:00

While the focus may all be on Jack Grealish in the Republic of Ireland's concluding Uefa Under-21 Championship qualifier against Germany in Halle today, other players like Celtic defender Eoghan O'Connell are eager to make their mark.

The Cork full back, a cousin of Irish rugby stalwart Paul O’Connell, has emerged as one of the few pluses during Ronny Deila’s early spell as manager at Parkhead. The 18-year-old has featured for the SPL champions in their last two fixtures.

O'Connell's international ambitions take flight this evening, with Ireland manager Noel King poised to hand the Leesider his debut at this level.

Table-toppers Germany require victory to clinch the group while the Irish are building for the next campaign having had their play-off ambitions crushed in March with defeat to Montenegro.

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“All of this squad are eligible for the next campaign so I’m just looking to make an impression,” said O’Connell.

“We know Germany are a world-class side but we’re all looking forward to testing ourselves against them.”

O’Connell netted a late call-up as a replacement for Fulham defender Seán Kavanagh.

Bradley Lewis of Aston Villa also withdrew because of injury. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (probable): Lawlor (Manchester City); O'Connell (Celtic), Hoban (Watford), Long (Reading), Connors (Dagenham & Redbridge); D Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), J Byrne (Manchester City); McEvoy (Peterborough Utd), Grealish (Aston Villa), S Byrne (Everton); Wilkinson (Bolton Wanderers).