David Wilson

The Ireland men's under-21 squad was announced for the upcoming friendlies against Croatia and Qatar in Zagreb this week.

Head coach Jim Crawford has handed eight players their first call-ups to a youthful under-21 squad with senior international cap Rory Finneran named in the travelling 23.

Dundalk's Bemi Arubi has been rewarded for his fine League of Ireland Premier Division form with a place in the squad, his first call-up since representing Ireland at men's under-19s level.

Cork City's 16-year-old striker Cillian Murphy is among those heading to Zagreb, having helped Ireland's men's under-17s reach the World Cup in Qatar with a hat-trick against Slovakia.

There are also first call-ups for Shamrock Rovers pair John O'Sullivan and Najrazi, who will be part of their first 21 squad.

Burnley's Keane McMahon-Brown, who is impressed for both club and country this season, also gets the call, as does Brighton & Hove Albion's Sean Keogh and Stoke City's Gabriel Kelly.

Doncaster Rovers' Sean Gren and Bohemians' Harry Vaughan return to the squad having missed out in March.

Ireland face Croatia on Saturday 6th June before taking on Qatar under-23s on Tuesday 9th June.

It will be the final preparation for Jim Crawford's side before the final run-in of the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier campaign.

Liverpool have formally opened talks with Andoni Arreola about becoming their new head coach.

Discussions with the former Bournemouth boss are being led by Sporting Director Richard Hughes.

As reported by The Athletic, Arreola was quickly identified as a clear frontrunner in the wake of last Saturday's sacking of Arne Slott after two years in charge.

And with the 43-year-old believed to be keen to take on the challenge at Anfield, there is a growing expectation that his appointment will follow.

In the wake of slots sacking, senior club figures indicated that they want to see a more front-foot, aggressive and urgent style of football.

There is a belief that Areola's methods fit the bill, given his body of work during three years in charge at Bournemouth, where he oversaw 12th, 9th and 6th place Premier League finishes, as well as securing Europa League qualification for the first time in their history.

Hughes knows Areola well, having appointed him as Gary O'Neill's successor at Bournemouth in the summer of 2023.

Despite speculation about Liverpool looking to add a former player such as James Milner or Thiago to a new look coaching staff, Liverpool insist that no such approaches have been made.

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has apologised for orchestrating the Spygate scandal and admitted he is responsible for everything that has happened.

Saints were thrown out of the championship playoffs last month after admitting sending a young intern to spy in a military training session.

The EFL said the South Coast club were found guilty of a deplorable act of putting pressure on the junior member of staff to spy on Borough.