Peter Henry
Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has been impressed by Bohemians goalkeeper James Talbot after the 22-year-old was called up for the Euro Qualifiers double-header against Denmark and Gibraltar.
Talbot has been in inspired form between the sticks for Bohs this season, which earned him his first senior call up after an injury to Bournemouth ‘keeper Mark Travers.
Ireland boss McCarthy revealed today that Talbot – who combines playing for Bohs with being a postman – has impressed during training.
“He’s been great. A bit nervous when he came in, which is natural. He’d normally be watching the games on TV,” McCarthy said at the Benetti Menswear event today at the Aviva Stadium.
“But he’s done really well in terms of being in the squad, and we’ve been watching him in the finishing sessions and the games that he’s played. He’s been great. It’s better than posting letters he says!”
Talbot spent five years at Sunderland before returning to Ireland and when asked about what the future holds for the talented youngster, McCarthy said he thinks he may move back to English Football if the right opportunity arises.
🎥Already fitting into the Ireland🇮🇪 squad
Welcome to @jamestalbot197#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/maiY9yf0of
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) May 29, 2019
“Quite clearly he has potential, he was over at Sunderland since a very young age,” McCarthy added.
“It doesn’t always work out, we know that. The percentage of players coming back from England is an outrageous number actually.
“Let’s see how he does first, and let’s see how he continues with his league career. I’d imagine like everybody else if he gets the opportunity to go back and play, well that’s what he wants to do.”
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