Goals from Nikola Krstovic and Ivan Vukcevic in the opening 10 minutes put Montenegro in front. This forced Jim Crawford’s Ireland U21 side to chase the game. They almost turned it around too with Mark McGuinness forcing Ognjen Obradovic into scoring an own goal before Conor Coventry saw a late penalty kick saved.

This loss now drops Ireland to fourth place in the group, four points off leaders Sweden. They do still have a game in hand but will be in dire need of a win.

Having beaten Luxembourg in Tallaght Stadium last week, confidence was high in the Irish squad.  Instead, they got caught early on with Krstovic scoring after just three minutes.

The tricky attacker raced onto a through ball before rounding the goalkeeper Brian Maher, slotting the ball home.

Montenegro doubled their advantage following a quick, incisive move. A deflected cross from the flank was dummied by Ivan Vukcevic but Krstovic quickly touched the ball back into his path and from a tight angle, the forward blasted it into the roof of the net.

For a brief moment just past the half an hour mark, Ireland thought they had conceded a third but they were relieved to see that Krstovic’s powerful finish with his head was correctly disallowed as he was stood in an offside position.

Ireland grew into the match following that let off but they couldn’t get the goal to half the deficit before the interval as Will Ferry saw a lob deflect just wide before his crossfield pass picked out Alex Gilbert, whose low drive from the edge of the box was saved.

They remained on top throughout the second 45 but it wasn’t until the 73rd minute that they gave themselves hope.

McGuinness reacted well to head home after the Montenegrins failed to deal with an in-swinging corner.

Substitute JJ Kayode almost nodded in a leveler within seconds of coming on but he could only turn Ferry’s cross wide of the near post.

After Ross Tierney and Kayode were denied what looked like certain penalties, Ireland was finally awarded a spot-kick in the 83rd minute when Jake O’Brien was fouled inside the area.

But Coventry couldn’t convert his second penalty in a few days. The Montenegro keeper made a great save low to his left to secure their win.

Next up is a doubleheader against Italy and Sweden as Crawford’s team return to Tallaght Stadium next month.

Starting Teams:

Montenegro: Izevic; Pesukic, Perovic, Babic, Raznatovic; Krstovic, Janjic, Vukotic (Divanovic ht); Vukcevic (Obradovic 70), Sijaric, Krstovic (Kujovic 57).

Republic of Ireland: Maher; O’Connor, O’Brien, McGuinness, Bagan; Coventry, Kilkenny (Devoy 77), Tierney (Kayode 77); Gilbert (O’Neill 60), Ferry, Ferguson (Whelan 60).

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish and international football news, click here.

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Collins is a 20-year-old central defender who has spent the last three seasons at Championship side Stoke City.

The young Dubliner has had admires from the Premier League for a while now. The Burnley manager has already had a €5m bid in January rejected.

There were also links with Werder Bremen and Manchester United in 2019 and Arsenal, Leicester, and Chelsea in 2020.

Unfortunately, Collins fractured a bone in his left foot near the end of this season. This ruled him out of making his Ireland debut in the friendlies against Hungary and Andorra.

If the Burnley sale were to sell him, that would make Collins the most expensive Stoke graduate in their history.

Burnley have agreed a fee with Stoke in the region of 12 million pounds for Nathan Collins

Source : John Percy @TeleFootball pic.twitter.com/y5xf4KnMGA

— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@RepTracker) June 22, 2021

Is Nathan Collins worth the price tag?

Football talent seems to run deep in the Collins family with his father, Dave, playing for Liverpool and Oxford United. His brother, Eamonn, also played League of Ireland football with UCD and Waterford.

Collins was made captain this season standing out in League Cup victories over Premier League teams, Aston Villa and Wolves.

Standing at 6’4’’ he could be the perfect inclusion in Dyche’s defensively strong team.

The young man has proved to be an aerial threat as well, scoring two goals in 22 appearances in the Championship this year.

Some of the Premier League ‘Big Six’ have been trying to lure James Tarkowski away from Burnley and Dyche may be in need of a replacement

Manager Michael O’Neill saw the youngster as a vital part of his team and now he could be an important part of Burnley’s Premier League future.

Nathan Collins in the Championship this season:

22 games
2 goals
1 assist
1.3 tackles won per 90
1.4 interceptions per 90
3 clearances per 90
3.1 aerials won per 90
13 blocked shots

Already wanted by many EPL clubs. Big potential. The future of Irish football.

— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) March 19, 2021

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Back in May of 2019, Stephen Kenny’s U-21 side took on Mick McCarthy’s senior team in a behind-closed-doors friendly. Some may remember that Kenny got the better of McCarthy that day, thanks to a second half brace from Jack Taylor.

It is fair to say that the young midfielder has not drifted far from Kenny’s thoughts having made an impression on the manager during his time with the U-21 squad. As we head into final international fixture of 2020 against Bulgaria, Taylor has been called up to the senior squad for the first time.

Proud day for me and my family https://t.co/4oublXU2xV

— Jack Taylor (@jackootaylor) November 16, 2020

Where did it all start?

Jack Taylor began his footballing career in London at Chelsea. He was part of their youth team for seven years, but like many young players at Chelsea, the pathway to first team football is restricted. His decision was to move to Barnet, where he signed his first professional contract.

Taylor spent just under four years at Barnet, quietly perfecting his trade whilst many outsiders began to take notice. One of them being Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex Ferguson. Peterborough got their man in January of this year, for reported fee of £500,000 rising to £1 million.

“I feel I am ready for the next step” were the words of Taylor when he linked up with his new club at the beginning of the year. And he was not wrong. Eleven appearances including two goals and two assists is not a bad return for his first season in League One.

If there were any questions surrounding Taylor’s capabilities at this level, there aren’t any now. Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony revealed in the summer that their recent signing was the subject of a bid close to £2 million after helping “transform last season”.

The Ireland U-21 midfielder hasn’t slowed down this season either, netting three goals already after ten games.

Fireworks night came early for Peterborough with these two crackers from Jack Taylor and Dan Butler!

@jackootaylor @Danielbutler26
@theposhofficial #PUSB pic.twitter.com/7ajmvf3FBO

— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) November 4, 2020

Ireland Call-Up

Only last month Taylor declared that a senior Ireland call-up is the “dream” but also remained realistic about his prospects. At 22-years-old, he believed a two year timeframe would be a more achievable goal for making the senior squad. A little over a month later, this dream has been achieved.

The sky is the limit for Jack Taylor and his career. From Non-League to League One. From Ireland U-21 to Ireland seniors. All in the space of a couple of years. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

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Italy’s late victory over third place Iceland may prove pivotal in Ireland’s EURO 2021 qualification push. The Ireland team continue to occupy second place, one point above Sweden and Iceland. Following a disappointing defeat at the hands of group leaders Italy last month, there was feeling that Jim Crawford’s men may have missed their best chance at qualifying.

However today’s match in Iceland has further heightened the importance of Ireland’s next two fixtures. A win against Iceland at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday, followed by a win in Luxembourg on Wednesday evening, should be enough to qualify for next year’s tournament.

Chance to make history by qualifying for EURO 2021

Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has been impressing whilst out on loan at Rochdale this season, and was close to getting his first senior call-up according to boss Stephen Kenny. He returns to the home of his boyhood club Shamrock Rovers on Sunday and will be hoping the Ireland team can emulate the success of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division champions.

𝘽𝙞𝙜 save from Gavin Bazunu late on yesterday #RAFC pic.twitter.com/tXKuW0o1cB

— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) October 25, 2020

Ireland U-21s have never qualified for a competition of this nature and Bazunu notes this as a “huge incentive” going into the final two games. But the focus remains on the Iceland game first.

Team News

Jim Crawford must continue without Adam Idah, Jayson Molumby and Dara O’Shea who have all made the step up to the senior side. Striker Jonathan Afolabi has also dropped out through injury. He is replaced by Accrington Stanley forward Ryan Cassidy.

On the flip side, Troy Parrott makes his return to the U-21 camp after recently overcoming an injury that has kept him on the sidelines for much of this season. Despite the good news, Millwall boss Gary Rowett is wary of Parrott’s fitness levels heading into the international fixtures.

Meanwhile, Bohemian’s winger Danny Grant ended his impressive breakthrough season with another goal.

No European football for @stpatsfc next season as they lost out @bfcdublin at Richmond Park #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/y9PFwp8slx

— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 10, 2020

Italy are odds on for automatic qualification. Five of the best-performing runners up from each group will also qualify for the competition. Ireland currently stand as the fifth best team in second place of their respective group, with a game in hand and a point behind Poland who have completed all of their games.

With the unlikely scenario of several teams below Ireland in the “runners-up group” winning their remaining fixtures, two wins should be enough to clinch qualification. Ireland’s faith is in their own hands.

Nevertheless, as many a footballer and manager would say – Gavin Bazunu included – the focus is on the next game. Ireland U-21 vs Iceland U-21 kicks off at 12.30pm on Sunday afternoon in Tallaght Stadium.

The full Ireland U-21 squad is listed below.

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Ed McGinty (Sligo Rovers)

Defenders: Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Darragh Leahy (Dundalk), Conor Masterson (Queens Park Rangers), Mark McGuinness (Ipswich Town, on loan from Arsenal), Danny McNamara (St Johnstone, on loan from Millwall), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Thomas O’Connor (Gillingham, on loan from Southampton), Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Luca Connell (Celtic), Will Ferry (Southampton), Jason Knight (Derby County), Danny Mandroiu (Bohemians), Connor Ronan (Grasshopper Zurich, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Anthony Scully (Lincoln City), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United)

Forwards: Ryan Cassidy (Accrington Stanley, on loan from Watford), Zack Elbouzedi (Lincoln City), Danny Grant (Bohemians), Joshua Kayode (Carlisle United, on loan from Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Troy Parrott (Millwall, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

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Preparations haven’t been straight forward for Crawford. A calamitous week for the senior squad resulted in five players missing the draw against Wales on Sunday afternoon due to COVID-19 protocols. Consequently, Jason Knight and Dara O’Shea have left the U-21 training camp and joined Stephen Kenny’s squad.

Crawford admits that his team’s “preparations have been scuppered”. Not only due to squad alterations, but also because he is in the dark of with regards to the team Italy will field. The Italians’ game against Iceland was postponed on Friday after two players tested positive for COVID-19.

Republic of Ireland U21 boss Jim Crawford is finetuning his side for battle in Italy tomorrow – but preparations have been challenging #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/dkfldVpnJH

— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) October 12, 2020

Nevertheless, there is still a selection of high quality players to choose from. Bohemians winger Danny Grant has been called up on the back of recent form. He replaces Shamrock Rovers’ Neil Farrugia who missed out through injury. Conor McCarthy of St. Mirren also steps in to replace Dara O’Shea. Premier League players Will Smallbone, Conor Coventry (see graphic below) and Michael Obafemi are all expected to feature.

MAKING AN IMPACT

Check out these monster stats from @conorcoventry so far in this #IRLU21 campaign

1⃣ day to #ITAIRL pic.twitter.com/C1Xt8QEh9z

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 12, 2020

Jim Crawford is not underestimating the significance of the fixture: “We know just how important this game is in terms of the Group but also in terms of our chances of qualifying for the finals tournament”. The winner of the group will qualify for the U-21 European Championship in 2021.

Republic of Ireland U-21 vs Italy U-21 kicks off at 4pm Irish time.

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