Luton keeper Keeley named in Ireland squad for World Cup play-off

Luton goalkeeper Josh Keeley has been called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for their World Cup play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic next Thursday.

The 22-year-old, who moved to Kenilworth Road from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the summer after an impressive loan spell with Leyton Orient last term, the O’s reaching the play-off final at Wembley only to lose to Charlton Athletic, has played 38 times in all competitions for the Hatters since arriving, with 11 clean sheets, the joint fifth highest in the league.

Born in Dunboyne, and starting his youth career with St Patrick's Athletic before heading to England and joining Spurs in 2022, Keeley has represented his country at U17 and U19 level, also winning 10 U21s caps, with three clean sheets in those matches. It’s not the first time he has been called up by former Jamaica and Iceland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson for the senior squad either, on the bench for international friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg in June of last year.

If successful, the Irish will then have a play-off final at home to Denmark or North Macedonia on March 31, as speaking recently about his goalkeeper’s impact with the Hatters, boss Jack Wilshere said: “I love Josh, I think the best thing about him is his composure. Of course he’s a top goalie who makes good saves, he’s good with his feet, he’s still young, he’s still developing, he’s got a high ceiling in my opinion, but I like the way he is.

"I like the way he is around the training ground, I like how calm he is, I like the confidence he gives to the back four in front of him. He’s developing his voice and coaching them, talking to them in a game which is important. He’s started to come for more crosses which is important in this league too. I’ve played with a lot of goalies, some really good goalies, but also some who were quite reactive and didn’t fill you with confidence, but Josh is the opposite. I’m really happy with how he’s performed and how he’s developing.

“He has a real understanding of how we want to play which he is important to, he is really important to, how we want to defend. He’s focused, he has clarity on that, which I then think helps the back four. A number of times when we’re pressing really high this season, they then play a long ball and he’s had to come out from the back, he’s clear with that, he understands it. He’s quietly confident and goes about his business, he’s like that around the environment every day, which then, translates to the pitch.”

Asked about getting his chance with the international squad prior to being named in the final 25 this morning, which also includes ex-Hatters attacker Chiedozie Ogbene, who is now with Sheffield United, Wilshere added: “I think he’ll get there. The interesting thing about goalies is they can play, sometimes until they’re 40.

"He’ll get his moment, he’ll get his opportunity if he keeps going the way he is, keeps working every day how he is. For a young goalie as well he’s played a lot of games, that’s impressive as well. He’s got a lot of experience, last year with Orient and getting to the play-offs and having to come back from a little bit of adversity, all those things will help him into the future, and I think he’ll get there.”

Squad – Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher, Mark Travers, Josh Keeley. Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Jimmy Dunne, Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea, Jake O'Brien, John Egan, James Abankwah, Liam Scales, Robbie Brady, Ryan Manning. Midfielders: Jayson Molumby, Bosun Lawal, Jack Taylor, Alan Browne, Jason Knight, Finn Azaz, Harvey Vale. Forwards: Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, Johnny Kenny, Chiedozie Ogbenne, Sammie Szmodics.