Jim Crawford says that the Swedish game is the most important thing during his reign as U21 manager
Jim Crawford points out Ireland’s U21 date with Sweden tomorrow night in Borås (5.00) as the most decisive during his two-year reign.
In the nicely placed European Championship table in group F, the Irish are currently in fourth place with 10 points behind leading Sweden at 14, Italy (14) and Bosnia (11).
But the Irish hold a match in hand on their hosts and two against Bosnia while Boys In Green’s dramatic overnight time winner through Ollie O’Neill against the Swedes in Tallaght in November last year to secure a 1-0 win has boosted confidence in the guests’ camp.
Add to that Italy’s 1-1 draw against Montenegro and the fact that Bosnia and Montenegrins visit Tallaght Stadium in June before the final away match in Italy and there is a real feeling that Ireland can compete for a place in next year’s final until the last kick in the qualifying phase.
“It’s in our hands, the qualification is in our hands if we can win,” Crawford said.
“It’s automatic qualification too, with Montenegro taking points from Italy this evening so it’s really the goal to go and win the match.
“If we can win, we will go one point behind Sweden with a match in hand. And that is our goal for now.
“So it’s a huge game, it’s probably the most important U21 match for me so far.
“I think the players have to deal with this type of environment to continue and impress the senior team.
“Players know the importance of that. It will be a great learning environment for them, to play in games of this size.”
Crawford revealed that Derby County defender Eiran Cashin has not been able to travel with the team as the paperwork to register him for Irish citizenship has not yet been completed.
“We brought in Eiran Cashin and he still had paperwork to cross the border. But that will not happen now.
“We were disappointed not to have Eiran but we realized yesterday so we had to call someone else then.
“Joe Redmond joins us. I had Joe when I was under 18’s head coach and he will never let you down.
“He’s gotten a lot better and he’s had an incredible start to the season with St Pat’s.
“I’ve seen him play a few times this season and he’s been in great shape, a real defender and reads the game very well.
“He has a fantastic distribution of football as well and these are all kinds of things we look for in players that we bring into the group.
“So I’m happy for Joe but obviously disappointed with Eiran. But Eiran’s paperwork will be sorted out before the next window in June.”
Crawford must plan without Cashin’s exciting Rams teammate Festy Ebosele and Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson who withdrew for family reasons and injury respectively.
Will Smallbone remained at Southampton after reporting an illness last week
Darragh Burns (St Patrick’s Athletic), Killian Phillips (Crystal Palace) and Oisin McEntee (Greenock Morton) have also been added to the panel in recent days.
“It’s always frustrating to lose players but it gives other players the opportunity to go and show what they can do.
“These are three players with great potential but you have to keep going.”
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