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19th August 2024
11:18am BST
Shay Given has called on the Republic of Ireland to cap Liam Delap and strengthen their squad ahead of the Uefa Nations League campaign starting in September.
Delap, who signed for Ipswich Town from Manchester City for £20m earlier this summer, is an England underage international, having represented the country of his birth from Under-16 level up to Under-21s.
He was part of the England team that won the European Under-19 Championship in 2022.
The centre-forward, 21, is also eligible for Ireland, however. Liam's father Rory played 11 times for the Boys in Green between 1998 and 2004.
Given has called on new Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson to try to get Delap on board ahead of a new era for the national team.
The former Ireland goalkeeper believes that Delap, like recent recruit Sammie Szmodics, would be a valuable addition to the squad.
"(Evan Ferguson) is still so young and we expect so much," Given said on Premier Sports about the Brighton and Hove Albion and Ireland striker.
"A year ago we were talking about this being the answer to all our problems with the Irish team.
"Sammie Szmodics has just signed for Ipswich - another Premier League team - and you see Liam Delap playing with them as well.
"I know he has played for England underage, but his dad Rory Delap, we all know, I played with him (for Ireland), of course.
"If I was the new manager, I would be getting all these players on board.
"Liam Delap is quick, he's powerful, and he's a good finisher.
Image via Premier Sports.
"England are sort of scouring the world for players. We're a smaller nation, we have to do the same thing," Given continued.
"Get these players on board and get them capped, like Liam Delap, and strengthen the squad.
Delap started his career with Man City, where he played six times in total and scored once.
He spent the past few seasons in the Championship on loan spells with clubs such as Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City.
Delap joined Ipswich during the summer and started the team's 2-0 defeat against Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.
Ireland begin their Nations League campaign next month in Dublin against England.
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