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Aston Villa: Scott Hogan declares for the Republic of Ireland

By Phil Newman

COLCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Aston Villa players celebrate their first goal, scored by Scott Hogan (3rd R), during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Colchester United and Aston Villa at Colchester Community Stadium on August 9, 2017 in Colchester, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
COLCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Aston Villa players celebrate their first goal, scored by Scott Hogan (3rd R), during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Colchester United and Aston Villa at Colchester Community Stadium on August 9, 2017 in Colchester, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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English-born Aston Villa forward Scott Hogan is set to declare his international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. Three of Hogan’s four grandparents were born on the Emerald Isle.

From the Birmingham Mail, Scott Hogan declares for Republic of Ireland.

This news comes directly from Ireland manager Martin O’Neill himself. The 25-year old Hogan joins a company of Ireland forwards currently playing in England’s second division. Martin O’Neill named the following 39-man squad for September World Cup Qualifiers against Georgia and Serbia:

From the Irish Times:

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Colin Doyle (Bradford City)

Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce (Derby County), Paul McShane (Reading), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), John O’Shea (Sunderland), John Egan (Brentford), Greg Cunningham (Preston North End), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (Burnley), James McCarthy (Everton), Stephen Quinn, Liam Kelly (Reading), David Meyler (Hull City), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O’Kane (Leeds United), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Jonathan Hayes (Celtic), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Alan Browne, Daryl Horgan (Preston North End)

Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Burnley), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), Sean Maguire (Preston North End)

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These are absolutely critical matches for Ireland as they are tied at the top of Group D alongside Serbia. Six points firmly puts Ireland in Russia next summer.

Hogan has a chance to join the preliminary squad, and ultimately the full team, should his international paperwork come back in time. The Villa forward applied for an Irish passport, so time will tell if he has to wait for a call-up.

Of note, Aston Villa midfielders Conor Hourihane and Glenn Whelan were called in as well. Whelan should be expected to make the roster for the September qualifiers; Hourihane is currently a toss-up.

In related, positive news, Mile Jedinak was named in Australia manager Ange Postecoglu’s 30-man provisional squad. If he’s fit, Jedinak is an obvious choice for Australia as the nation’s captain. Akin to Ireland, Australia is facing crucial World Cup Qualifiers.

Japan sits on 17 points, while Saudi Arabia and Australia sit on 16 a piece. The top two nations from that group automatically qualify while the 3rd-place faces the other 3rd-place nation from AFC qualifying. The winner of that home-and-home series goes onto inter-continental playoffs.

Next: Match Preview: Villa Travels To Reading

Best of luck to all out Villans involved in World Cup Qualifying in September.

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