While most Celts were out celebrating Trophy Day on Saturday after the Aberdeen game, it was back to work for me and a scouting trip to watch Ireland take on Spain at MTK’s Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion, in the Under-17 European Championship quarter-final.
Having watched their previous games online, this was my first live viewing of the Irish side and, given the high quality of their opponents, I was interested in seeing how they would cope.
Ireland opened the competition with a 5-1 defeat to a rampant Poland before closing out the group with back-to-back wins against Wales and Hungary.
Sadly, for Ireland, Saturday was the end of their Under-17 European Championship adventure as they lost out 3-0. The young Spanish side ultimately proved to be too strong for the hard-working Irish.
Despite their exit, the young Irish side has plenty to be proud of and can leave Hungary with their heads held high. Over the course of the four games played, there was enough promise to suggest that Ireland may have a decent crop of players coming through.
I run the rule over some of their top performers in the tournament and players Celtic could do well with keeping an eye on.
Mason Melia
Player Profile
- Nationality: Irish
- Year Group: 2007
- Current Club: St. Patrick’s Athletic
- Position: CF
- Foot: Right
- National Team: U17
At only 15 years of age, Melia has already played senior football at club level for St. Patrick’s Athletic and holds the honour of being the club’s youngest ever debutant. Melia made his first appearance for the senior side in a Leinster Senior Cup tie against Wexford and promptly scored his side’s consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat. He followed this up with an assist on his league debut in March against Drogheda United.
At the Euros, Melia impressed with his strength on the ball and ability to link the play with Ike Orazi and Naj Razi, in particular. His penalty box instincts also marked him out as a player of interest; Melia scored two close-range goals against hosts Hungary in the final group game and showed great awareness to get into position to capitalise on Orazi’s cutbacks.
Melia has reportedly already attracted interest from Liverpool. Given his ability to sniff out a chance and high work rate, it is not a surprise to see that he is on the radar of one of English football’s biggest clubs.
Ike Orazi
Player Profile
- Nationality: Irish / Nigerian
- Year Group: 2007
- Current Club: Shamrock Rovers
- Position: LW
- Secondary Position: AMC / RW
- Foot: Right
- National Team: U17
Orazi lit up the play for Ireland against Wales and Hungary in the group stages with some positive, direct running that caused both defences problems.
Skilful on the ball, with quick feet, and an explosive turn of pace, Orazi has the ability to cut inside or go down the line and, as Wales found out, is adept at drawing fouls inside and outside the box. Orazi scored in Ireland’s opening two games against Poland and Wales, showing determination to bundle home against the Poles and great skill to curl an effort into the top corner against Wales.
Predominantly right-footed, Orazi plays the modern inverted winger role well and has a strong enough left foot to be a threat when hitting the by-line. Against Spain, his ball-carrying and ability to pull the side up the field was a highlight in an otherwise difficult match.
Naj Razi
Player Profile
- Nationality: Irish / Algerian
- Year Group: 2006
- Current Club: Shamrock Rovers
- Position: AMC
- Secondary Position: RW
- Foot: Right
- National Team: U17
Razi is the second current Shamrock Rovers player to have caught the eye at the Euros and had a role to play in 5 of Ireland’s 9 goals in the tournament. The attacking midfielder provided one goal, 3 direct assists, and one secondary assist.
Comfortable on the ball and with an eye for a through pass, Razi excelled in the games against Wales and Hungary; four of his goal contributions came in these games. His ability to find space and pick a pass was encouraging to watch, as was his ability to take players on.
In the match against Spain, where space was harder to find, Razi struggled to make an impact and will need to work on imposing himself in games against higher-quality opposition.
That said, he can be pleased with his creative output from the competition, but know there are improvements to be made if he is to make it at the top-level.
Freddie Turley
Player Profile
- Nationality: Irish
- Year Group: 2006
- Current Club: Shamrock Rovers
- Position: CM
- Secondary Position: CH
- Foot: Right
- National Team: U17
Another off the Shamrock Rovers production line, Turley captained the side throughout the tournament. Capable of playing in midfield or as centre-back, Turley was a commanding presence for the Irish.
Strong and committed in the tackle, confident in his ability to drive out from deep positions, and with a decent range of passing, Turley was often the starting point for Irish attacks. However, a lack of positional awareness did catch him out at times when playing in the centre-back position and is something he will need to tighten up if he is to make the step up.
As a number 6 though, Turley looks to have a lot of the ability needed to be a success in that particular role.
You can read my previous report on Serbia here.
Kevin McCluskie
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