FOUR PRESTON NORTH End players were named in the latest Republic of Ireland squad on Thursday afternoon, but there could soon be one more if Callum Robinson gets his way.
The 23-year-old, who is comfortable playing anywhere across the front line or out wide, has ambitions to line out for the Boys in Green and is hopeful of earning a call-up later this year.
“I’m not saying that they are going to pick me but I’d like to put it out there that I’m available and looking ahead to the future,” Robinson told The42.
There is a strong Irish contingent at the Championship club right now with Greg Cunningham, Alan Browne, Sean Maguire and Daryl Horgan all in the first-team squad.
16-year-old Adam Reilly is also on the books, while Andy Boyle (Doncaster Rovers), Eoin Doyle (Oldham Athletic) and Kevin O’Connor (Fleetwood Town) are currently out on loan.
Born in Northampton, Robinson qualifies for Ireland through his maternal grandmother, Anne Deighan, who hails from Monaghan. Having moved to England and married, she was tragically killed in a car accident when Callum’s mother, Claire, was a child.
He was signed by Aston Villa at the age of eight and worked his way all the way through their ranks to the senior side — making a Premier League debut at home to Southampton in April 2014.
I was one of the lucky ones to play for the first team as not a lot of players go on to do that,” he says. “It’s a massive club and it was a great achievement to make my league debut. That was a huge game to go into because we were scrapping relegation. It was a really good day for me and my family.
“I played with the likes of Derrick Williams and Enda Stevens, who’ve just got called up to the Ireland squad, Ciaran Clark, Graham Burke and Mikey Drennan at Villa.”
Robinson represented England from U16 to U20 level and played alongside the likes of Luke Shaw, Will Hughes, Jordan Ibe and Chuba Akpom, but he has now opted to switch allegiance.
“I understand that and I’ve had these conversations with Brownie in the gym,” he replies, when asked how he feels about the fact that some people will inevitably question his commitment.
I was gutted when Ireland didn’t get through to the World Cup but I remember seeing supporters in tears and I was just like ‘That’s what it’s about’. I haven’t played for Ireland so don’t know the feeling but when I saw that and I heard the fans, it was amazing.
“You can see what it means to the players, especially James McClean, and the fans help with that. Even when they’re defending you can see it in the likes of Cizza [Ciaran Clark].
“I am often there Snapchatting Greg saying ‘Oh my God, what an atmosphere’.”
Back at club level, loan spells at Preston and Bristol City followed as he went in search of regular game-time.
“I was in and around the Villa team for that whole year that I made my debut and I had a few first team appearances,” he recalls. “The season after that, Paul Lambert just said I would have been doing the same kind of thing, but I’m a player who wants to play and learn so I thought the best thing for me at that time — I was about 18 or 19 — was to go on loan to Preston in League One.”
They were promoted to the Championship and, after a brief stint at Bristol City, he returned to the Lilywhites – signing a three-year deal under Simon Grayson in the summer of 2016. Robinson went on to make 46 appearances in his first year, with a return of 10 goals and six assists.
“Simon had belief in me so it was a no-brainer as I wanted to play football and I knew Villa were going to buy players because they had been relegated to the Championship. I just wanted to be respected as a player and not looked at as one of the young ones.”
Having started the first two games of this campaign, Robinson then took a little time to win over current Preston manager Alex Neil but he has become a regular once again. Often deployed on the wing, he has been used in the striker’s role since Jordan Hugill’s January move to West Ham.
“With every manager I’ve had, they’ve all said it’s a joy to work with me because I can play in any of the front four positions,” he explains. “If Seani [Maguire] comes on up front, like he did the other night and against Bolton on Saturday, I can play on either wing and it doesn’t bother either of us.
“Jordan left and I’ve been playing up front lately, leading the line with Brownie as the number 10. I couldn’t really tell you which position is perfect for me but I always try to be effective — whether it’s the right, left, number 10 or striker. It’s been working well for me the last two seasons.
“I got on with Simon really well but I’m really enjoying it with Alex Neil. He gets the best out of everyone and, as you can see, we’re really developing at Preston. It’s quite a young side but we’re in and around the play-offs, which is great and he’s doing a good job.”
Currently eighth, Preston are chasing promotion to the Premier League but Robinson’s team-mates are also eager to get him involved in the Ireland set-up.
“A few of them have been on to me to do it,” he says. “They can see what I can do with them and they’re in the Ireland squads.
I’ve seen the squad today and it’s a strong one. There are a few fresh faces, which is good. I was happy to see Greg get in there because I know how hard he works. I’ve worked a lot with him down that left side and it’s a joy. He’s a really good player and I think he’s been a tad unlucky with the last few squads.
“Seani came in the summer and he’s done great, but was unfortunate with his injury. Daryl Horgan in one-v-ones is frightening and I’ve been with Brownie four years since my first loan. This is the best season I’ve ever seen him play, and he has really developed under Alex.”
Robinson has looked into obtaining an Irish passport and would need to go through the necessary paperwork, but he would undoubtedly add another option for O’Neill ahead of the summer friendlies.
The42 understands that the FAI have been tracking the player for some time and the senior management team regularly attend Preston’s games.
I like him already, Seems to have a great attitude. We are not exactly blessed in the striker department , Although Seanie maguire and Scott Hogan look promising. Definitely worth taking a look.
@Sean O’Shea: Is no one embarrassed by this? He’s represented England all the way through underage. Lads went mental when Jack Grealish did this in the opposite direction. This guy is no more Irish than my big toe is English. He’s never even set foot on the island. It’s cringe stuff.
@Noel Ryan: I’m embarrassed for people like you.
@Noel Ryan: we have a population of 4million with shite technique and then shite facilities we need all the help we can get
@Noel Ryan: Are you in favour of IRFU system of buying players in ?
@Eamonn Duggan: hardly accurate really. Better record than the FAI in bringing through home grown talent
@Eamonn Duggan: IRFU has zero relevance to this. I couldn’t care less what they do.
@Ollie Watson: Iceland have a population of around 300,000
@Noel Ryan: I think anyone embarrassed about this could maybe do a few therapy session. All we ever hear is moaning about how we don’t have the players go compete. What if this bloke does a Vardy and becomes a premier league wonder?
I presume you won’t bother watching Ireland at Twickenham seem as Bundi Aki and Stander are playing? How embarrassing would it be to win the 6 nations with those. I’m mortified
@Stanley Baggins: Rugby is a completely different sport. Don’t know why you’re even referencing it. It has about 7 competitive teams in the entire world. Cricket is far more global and widespread. If this bloke does a Vardy then he and Barry are still both English. What did great Vardy do at the last European championships? Nothing. Mighty Iceland steamrolled them. We beat Italy with lads who have played in Ireland in our own league and gave the world class hosts an almighty scare. Why are we so quick to denigrate our own?
@Noel Ryan: *Vardy
@Noel Ryan:
1. Crickets international movements are much more significant. Irish players who have played competitively transferring to England at the height of their careers.
2. Rugby is of course relevant in this discussion, name another sport which can be used in a comparison.
3. What is your solution to this issue? Only players born in the country can play for Ireland? My wife and I are Irish and we have a son born in Australia. We/He moved to Ireland at 12 weeks old and will likely spend the rest of his life here. You’re saying he shouldn’t be allowed represent Ireland?
Never a bad thing. Interesting to see how he goes in the next few months.
Desperate times lads. Need to do away with this grandmother rule. Should have to have at least one irish parent , be born here or at least living here a very long time. It’s embarrassing
@William Motley: were bad enough.
@P. Doherty: bs. We’d have lads wearing the shirt with pride on the line. Just look at iceland. That’s what we should aspire to
@William Motley: The Icelandic FA put a lot of time and money in to their domestic game from grassroots up.Delaney and the FAI will never do that. They don’t give a sh!t about the game here.
@William Motley: if he wasn’t black and his name was Murphy or O’Brien or something common would you be saying the same?
@William Motley: just had a quick look – 3 of Iceland’s last squad were born elsewhere in scnadanavia – they also recently called up a lad born in Spain – every country does this.
If he is eager to play for us and shows the right attitude – I’m delighted to have him…….
@Tomás Fenton: who you calling common ;)
@William Motley: If all those Iridh grandparents didnt move away maybe we would have a bigger population and bigger pool of players..on the flip side how many players do England have that could of declared for other countries
@Tomás Fenton: what does his skin colour have to do with anything? Ignorant moronic assumption . Paul McGrath is black and the best player we’ve ever had ffs. Don’t try race bait you ejit
@William Motley: Declan rice is also eligible through grandparent rule. Among many others, and many of our best players of the past. Yet because of this lad you want to do away with grand parent rule.
@Tomás Fenton: good points
Would love Preston to get promoted now, need more Irish lads playing in the PL. This fella isn’t a bad player and he desperately need pace on the bings so worth a look, seems to have a good attitude.
Sure we’ll just take the whole PNE team! And their manager too. He’d be an improvement and would be more committed than our current man in charge. One Preston player I really would like is Tom Barkuizen. Like Robinson he can play anywhere up top but is predominantly a very productive wide man. I can see why he is starting ahead of the unfortunate Horgan, who seems to have mysteriously vanished from the match-day squad.
@John Mc Glynn: No mystery about it, championship is a good level, Horgan was good at loi but is struggling to step up another level, manager knows best, sees him every day in training.Towel and Forrister were also decent enough, but Maguire is the only one from recent loi players to go across who could be in Premier league soon enough
@John Mc Glynn: is he one of the Barkuizens from Moate☺☺
@running man: running man – that’s only parially true. When he went over first and they played a different style Horgan went straight into team and won their player of the month – so he clearly was able to step up. They since changed the style and it suits him less. However agree there’s no mystery. He’s dropped out of the squad because Maguire has taken his place as the sun forward player.
Don’t want him in the team. He’s just a player who knows he will never get in the England team so he would just be using Ireland as back up plan. No Thanks.
Get him in!
Give him the break !
@Tricksy: why not?
@Tricksy: I would like to see a lad who has always wanted to play for Ireland to get that squad spot. Somebody who has come through the Irish system, played in the league here. I’d rather us have a s*** team of Irish players then an alright team of English rejects
@Stipe Miocic: Stop talking out of your arse. There was absolutely no interest in football in Ireland until Jack came along and brought all the granny rule gang with him. People in those days would remortgage their gafs so that they could go and watch Jacks army play in competitions against all the superstars from other nations. The buzz created during that time was responsible for the likes of Duff, Roy Keane, Robbie Keane, Dunne and O’Shea emerging a generation later.
@Stanley Baggins: we can’t change what happened in the past but we can control how we move forward into the future. The Irish national team should be made up of Irish players. Just my opinion
Did Ray Houghton really want to play for Ireland until it emerged he was eligible and he was persuaded? De rest is history
We always will need to use the eligibility rules to de max to help us compete, having an association in charge of grass roots that maximizes the potential out there would be nice.
When I glanced at the headline I thought it was Callum Wilson
Preston are the new boys on the block for the Irish ! And as mark lawernson says ( a former player ) y n w a Lol next year I’d say ????? Hopefully
Seems genuine.
Failte is cead roimhe. Welcome.
Seems like a top bloke. We’d be lucky to have him. People have very short memories as to what the likes of Townsend, Houghten, Aldridge, CJ Stander have done 4 us
Need all the help possible in this area, let’s face facts.
What everyone seems to forget is that these guys who are eligible for Ireland through Parentage/Grand Parentage are entitled to an Irish passport, therefore making them IRISH. The fact that they might have played for another country prior to making an the decision to change is irrelevant. Playing underage for another country is usually decided by a parent or simply logistics. Now as an adult he has decided to declare for Ireland. We should all support him, just like we did with Townsend, Kilbane, McCarthy, Houghton, Aldridge…….
His coach is confident he can get rat-arsed,in coppers with the best of them.
I’m so excited I can’t sleep…
The grandma rule served us well in the past. It was that players that came through this rule that raised the profile of the national team to the mainstream. BUT what good is it in the long term. At least one chap here said he’d prefer to see a crap team of Irish lads playing and losing that a team of never to be England players but Plastic Paddies I’d second that, but with one caveat, we try to play football along the way. What are we going to do to develop the technical skills of our young players, what are we going to do to get Irish people to warm to their own league and thereby ensure that we have some quality youth coming through the ranks ?- these are the serious issues for Irish football.