Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill has jokingly congratulated England counterpart Roy Hodgson for “putting the pressure on” Jack Grealish to make a decision over his international future.
The 19-year-old Aston Villa midfielder has kept both England and Ireland waiting for an answer as he decides which of the two nations to represent, prompting Hodgson to urge him to decide.
Asked for his reaction after Monday night’s 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifier victory over Georgia, O’Neill said with a smile: “Well, that’s encouraging, it’s encouraging, anyway. Roy is not going to hang around, so well done Roy, putting the pressure on.”
England-born Grealish has previously rejected opportunities to join up with the Republic senior squad having already represented the country at age-group levels up to Under-21, boosting England’s hopes of getting the nod.
However, Hodgson is growing impatient and appears to have set a deadline.
He said on Sunday: ”I’m not 100% certain of what he is waiting for. I would like him to come out and say, ’I’ve thought about it, I’ve got the two possibilities and I’m opting for England’ and then he will be available for selection.
“But he has been injured, to be fair, so he wouldn’t have been selectable for any team during these September fixtures. Now maybe before the October fixtures he might make that decision.”