Killian Phillips Joins Republic of Ireland Squad for UEFA Nations League

Killian Phillips has been handed a late Republic of Ireland call-up after a bruising weekend left Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad short in midfield.

Jamie McGrath of Hibernian and Queens Park Rangers’ Harvey Vale both broke down in the warm-up before club games against Aberdeen and Preston North End, raising immediate red flags for Ireland. Medical checks over the following 24 hours confirmed the worst: neither would recover in time for the upcoming UEFA Nations League window.

Hallgrimsson has turned to form and fitness. Phillips, impressing with St Mirren, will report to the Ireland camp in Dublin today, joining the group before they fly to Pristina for Thursday’s opener against Kosovo.

It is a demanding schedule. After Kosovo, the Boys in Green move on to Debrecen, Hungary, where they face Israel on neutral ground, before heading back to Dublin for a home clash with Austria at the Aviva Stadium. The window closes with a second meeting against Israel, this time in Bačka Topola, Serbia, underlining just how stretched Hallgrimsson’s options could become if any more knocks appear.

The revised squad carries a blend of Premier League, Championship and continental experience, with competition in every line despite the setbacks.

Goalkeepers:

• Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford)
• Max O'Leary (West Bromwich Albion)
• Gavin Bazunu (Bolton Wanderers)

Defenders:

• James Abankwah (Udinese)
• Joel Bagan (Cardiff City)
• Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers)
• John Egan (Hull City)
• Liam Kitching (Sheffield United)
• Ryan Manning (Southampton)
• Jake O'Brien (Everton)
• Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town)
• Liam Scales (Celtic)

Midfielders:

• Finn Azaz (Southampton)
• Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic)
• Jason Knight (Bristol City)
• Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion)
• Bosun Lawal (Stoke City)
• Killian Phillips (St Mirren)

Forwards:

• Owen Elding (Hibernian)
• Adam Idah (Swansea City)
• Jack Moylan (Cardiff City)
• Chiedozie Ogbene (Lincoln City)
• Troy Parrott (Real Betis)
• Rocco Vata (Watford)
• Tom Cannon (Sheffield United)

For Phillips, it is an opening created by misfortune elsewhere. For Ireland, it is an early test of depth before a Nations League campaign that will not wait for anyone to get fit.