Just one night after Leroy Lita netted for the England U21s team Shane Long will start in the Ireland side and earn his first full cap for his country.
The young striker who has netted 4 goals for Reading in all competitions will surely be looking to put a few in tonight as his county face pushover side San Marino.
Speaking to the official club website, Shane spoke of his excitement to get the nod:
“I`m obviously delighted, its been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid so it`s brilliant that its come true.”
Shane has taken the place of Kevin Doyle in the starting line up while Doyle recuperates from the hamstring injury suffered in the draw against Everton.
“To be honest its happened quicker then I expected,” Long continued, “but I`ve been lucky enough to get some appearances for Reading so it`s a great opportunity.”
Long will wait to see if team-mate Stephen Hunt will join him in the squad. Ireland boss Steve Staunton has yet to name his substitutes bench so Hunt could still see his first bit of international football along with his young club mate.
In other international news, Sam Sodje has been named in the Nigeria squad that will take on Ghana at Brentford`s Griffin Park.
The centre back will hope to add to his one cap for his country at his old clubs ground.
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wish he could of scored. ireland were lucky to win
not quite the goalfest you expected!
Stephen Hunt came on in the second half and hit the post with his first touch. It’s a shame neither of them scored to follow in Doyle’s footsteps.