Latest news with #Lawal
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Heimir Hallgrimsson admits he'll trial HUGE change in tact with Ireland team he picks to face Luxembourg
HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON is hoping bigger can be better for Ireland as he prepares to try Killian Phillips for size tonight. Yesterday's training session 2 Heimir Hallgrimsson's focus is on Ireland's World Cup qualifiers which begin in September 2 Killian Phillips made his debut off the bench on Friday against Senegal The Crystal Palace player is 6ft 2in with uncapped pair Bosun Lawal and John Joe Patrick Finn similar in size. Jason Knight — who is 5ft 8in — and Josh Cullen — who is just an inch taller — have been the regular partnership in the midfield engine room. But Hallgrimsson reckons there will be times when size matters. The Icelander said: 'We've had many similar players, with similar quality. They bring in something different and sometimes in games, you need to have something different.' Read More On Irish Football As such, Hallgrimsson admitted his inclusion of the three six-footers for the first time was by design. He added: 'We were looking for someone and now it's a competition between three guys with this physique, if we can say, to show who is ready for the next step. 'Sometimes in games, you need to have that physicality and you need to have height. 'It is good to have those players knowing how we want to play. If called upon, it would be no problem for them to come in. Most read in Football 'I thought Killian did well coming on in the last game even though he was only with us three days. He got his job, understood it and did well.' Hallgrimsson allowed the media to watch the full eve-of-match training session and seems likely to go with a side mainly consisting of players wearing orange bibs in the 11 v 11 game. Inside Arsenal's Ibiza holiday as Katie McCabe and teammates pop champagne to celebrate Champions League win If that is the case, it means four changes with Phillips, Liam Scales, Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott coming in for Ryan Manning, Dara O'Shea, Adam Idah and Jack Taylor. The team in orange had Caoimhín Kelleher behind a back four of Matt Doherty, Nathan Collins, Scales and Robbie Brady, with Kasey McAteer, Lawal, Finn and Will Smallbone in midfield. There was a forward pairing of Ferguson and Parrott. After a water break, Josh Honohan was subbed in for Brady with Josh Keeley coming in for No 1 Kelleher. Max O'Leary was between the posts for the blue team with a back four of Jake O'Brien, Andrew Omobamidele, O'Shea and Manning. There was a midfield quartet of Ebosele, Phillips, Knight and Andrew Moran, with Taylor supporting Idah up top. But it would seem a reach for Lawal and Finn to start. Lawal was As recently as Thursday, Hallgrimsson said Finn had 'to grow a little bit more as a player to be starting for Ireland'.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Championship midfielder added to Ireland squad for Luxembourg friendly
Bosun Lawal has been added to the Ireland squad for Tuesday's friendly in Luxembourg. The Stoke City man trained with the rest of Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad in Dublin today before the team flight. Hallgrimsson has reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, with Lawal bolstering the midfield options. Lawal, 22, was dogged by a back injury this season and last, and made just seven appearances for Stoke in the Championship. But the former Bohemians, Celtic and Fleetwood Town man wants to finish the season on a high with a first senior cap. Ireland assistant manager John O'Shea was asked about the former Ireland Under-21 international in the build-up to Friday's 1-1 draw with Senegal. And he said at the time: 'It's been a frustrating one for Bosun. He trained with us last year and you were really hopeful that he'd have that game time with Stoke. 'It was frustrating for him with the (back) injury he picked up, but thankfully he was patient. If you try and rush back, he could suffer multiple injuries from it. 'It was frustrating not to get into the Stoke team in his ideal position either, but he played a few games towards the end of the season and was really impressive.' O'Shea added: 'I think it's only a matter of time before he will kick on like we expect.'
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Stoke's Bosun Lawal called up to Ireland squad for Luxembourg friendly
Stoke City midfielder Bosun Lawal has joined the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming friendly match against Luxembourg on Tuesday. The 22-year-old who previously earned 12 caps with Jim Crawford's Ireland U21 team, plays primarily as a holding midfielder but can operate as a centre back. Lawal's debut season at Stoke was hindered by a back injury that kept him out of action for a long period. He has made only six appearances after signing a four-year contract following three years at Celtic. However, manager Heimir Halgrimsson has clearly seen the midfielders potential, choosing to call him up to the squad in June of last year and now again for the upcoming friendly. Lawal developed his skills at St Kevin's and Bohemians before transferring to Watford in 2019. Hallgrimsson has decided to rest some key figures in the squad including Josh Cullen and Finn Azaz who will have a full offseason before the World Cup qualifier against Hungary on September 6. The 24-man squad trained this morning and will travel to Luxembourg later today. Read More 'Adam's role at Celtic is very different' - Hallgrimsson identifies Idah's Ireland challenge
The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Stoke star links up with Ireland squad ahead of Luxembourg trip
STOKE CITY midfielder Bosun Lawal has been added to the Ireland squad ahead of Tuesday's game away to Luxembourg. The 22-year-old joined the Potters from Celtic last summer in a reported £2 million (€2.4 million) deal. Advertisement But Lawal missed most of the season due to a medical stress fracture in his lower back. The setback reduced the midfielder to just seven Championship appearances for a Stoke side that finished just two points above the relegation zone. Lawal's full debut came on the final day of the season in the 0-0 draw with Derby County. The former Ireland U21 international previously impressed on loan at League One side Fleetwood Town, scoring six goals in 42 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign. The player's versatility could prove useful for manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, as he has been deployed at centre-back, central midfield and right-back during his young career. Lawal is part of a 24-player squad that trained this morning before heading to Luxembourg later today. He has yet to be capped at senior level, but was a late call-up for the squad ahead of the friendly with Hungary last summer.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Stoke City midfielder Bosun Lawal called up to Republic of Ireland squad
Stoke City midfielder Bosun Lawal has been added to the Republic of Ireland to play Luxembourg on Tuesday. The now 24-player group will train this morning before heading to Luxembourg later today. Lawal, 22, has been troubled with injuries throughout the year and was restricted to just seven appearances in the Championship. The former Bohemians and Celtic youngster is highly-rated having played 12 times at U21 level for Ireland. Several changes are expected for the game in Luxembourg after the 1-1 draw with Senegal on Friday night. Killian Phillips made his debut from the bench, while Kasey McAteer scored his first goal for the Boys in Green. Shamrock Rovers' defender Josh Honohan, Stade Reims midfielder John Joe Patrick Finn and goalkeepers Max O'Leary and Josh Keeley could make their first appearances in the green shirt in the final friendly on the window.
