Moran and Manning called up by Republic of Ireland
Stoke’s Andrew Moran and Southampton’s Ryan Manning have been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the Uefa Nations League play-off against Bulgaria after Will Smallbone and Callum O’Dowda were ruled out.
A Republic of Ireland statement said that Southampton midfielder Smallbone and Cardiff’s O’Dowda had withdrawn because of injury.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Ireland side face Bulgaria in the first leg in Plovdiv on Thursday before the return game in Dublin on Sunday.
The Irish are aiming to stay in League B as they face the League C3 runners-up.
Moran and Manning both reported for duty on Sunday and will train with the squad on Monday.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Kelleher (Liverpool), Travers (Middlesbrough, on loan from Bournemouth), Bazunu (Standard Liege, on loan from Southampton).
Defenders: O’Brien (Everton), Doherty (Wolves), Collins (Brentford), O’Shea (Ipswich), Dunne (QPR), Abankwah (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Brady (Preston), Manning (Southampton).
Midfielders: Cullen (Burnley), Knight (Bristol City), Taylor (Ipswich Town), Sykes (Bristol City), Azaz (Middlesbrough), Moran (Stoke, on loan from Brighton).
Forwards: Ferguson (West Ham United, on loan from Brighton), Idah (Celtic), Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Armstrong (Bristol City), Johnston (West Brom), Vata (Watford).
‘Embarrassing…useless’: Premier League winner launches brutal attack on Portsmouth rivals Southampton after Manchester City draw
There were wild scenes of celebration and jubilation at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon as the Blues’ south-coast enemies held Pep Guardiola’s men to a 0-0 draw.
The scoreline didn’t quite reflect City’s dominance, holding more than 71 per cent of possession and taking on 26 shots compared to the Saints’ two.
Nonetheless, Southampton held out for a goalless stalemate, with the point crucially edging past Derby County’s record-lowest points tally of 11.
However, the managerless Southampton, who have sacked Russell Martin and Ivan Juric this term, did become the quickest team to be relegated from the Premier League, with seven games remaining.
With the draw seeing them move to 12 points, they did avoid the Rams’ figure, which sparked celebrations between fans and players after the full-time whistle.
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But those scenes didn’t impress former Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers striker Sutton, who didn’t mince when giving his verdict on the Saints’ embarrassing campaign.
Speaking on BBC Sport’s 606, he said: ‘Honestly, I don’t mind the fans celebrating because there’s not been much to celebrate. But the players on the full-time whistle – I’m not sure who it was – one of the players throwing their arms around everywhere.
‘That’s embarrassing celebrating being the second worst Premier League side of all time. 12 measly points and I’ve said this many times, how low is your bar Southampton players? An utter embarrassment.
‘Maybe we’re wrong with this, but for the life of me – if I’m a Southampton player – am I happy that we’ve edged above Derby County? Would I be happy with that? Would I be celebrating in the car driving home elated?
‘The Southampton manager said he was delighted, come on.’
Southampton branded ‘useless’ by Premier League title winner
It’s not the first scathing attack on Pompey’s south-coast rivals, with former Fratton favourite Jamie O’Hara calling Southampton a ‘joke’ and ‘disgraceful’ following their draw with West Ham last month.
And Sutton, a one-time Premier League winner, continued his dig by calling the Saints ‘useless’ in their sole season back in the top flight.
‘I’ve got no problems with the fans because they have followed that useless team this season through thick and thin. They have been useless.
‘I don’t get it, I don’t understand the players in any way shape or form. Fair point, you don’t expect the players to go off with their shoulders slumped because they can be proud of their performance but the sort of fist pumping after drawing 0-0 and getting a point.
‘You’re the second worst team ever, think about that.’
With Pompey confirming their Championship survival, anticipation is growing ahead of the first meeting between the two south-coast rivals in six years.
The Blues will also face Ipswich Town and Leicester City, who both joined the Saints in dropping out of the top flight this term.
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