SCOTT HOGAN HAS at last committed his international allegiance to Ireland.

The Salford-born striker, who is eligible to play for the Boys in Green through his grandparents, has been on Martin O’Neill’s radar for over a year due to his fine goalscoring form at Brentford — where he scored 21 Championship goals in 2016.

Hogan earned a €10.5 million move to Aston Villa back in January but made no decision on his international future and it was suspected that he was holding out for a call-up from his birth country.

It appeared unlikely that the 25-year-old would declare for Ireland but, speaking to several daily newspapers including the Irish Times yesterday, O’Neill revealed that Hogan is keen to come on board.

And while the centre forward wasn’t included in the 39-man provisional squad named for next month’s World Cup qualifiers with Georgia and Serbia, there is a slim chance he could yet be involved as he is now awaiting an Irish passport.

Hogan has one goal in three appearances for Villa this term, and will add competition for the likes of Jon Walters, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Kevin Doyle and Sean Maguire, who received his first senior call-up yesterday.

Be part

of the team Access exclusive podcasts, interviews and analysis with a monthly or annual membership. Become a Member

Subscribe to The42 podcasts here: