Garvan overlooked yet again

By Mike Bacon

HE continues to impress in the blue of Ipswich Town.

But the question on many Portman Road fans' lips right now is - when does Owen Garvan get his chance in the green of the Republic of Ireland?

The 19-year-old midfield dynamo has been in fine form for Jim Magilton's side during their promising start to the Championship campaign. However, he continues to be overlooked at under-21 level and was not included in Steve Staunton's full squad which was announced yesterday.

Garvan, admittedly, is taking it all in his stride.

Yet many Town fans feel it would be hard to find many better young Republic of Ireland midfield prospects plying their trade in England at the moment.

“I am desperate to play at international level, of course I am,” said Garvan, who last represented his country as a 15-year-old. “It is a massive ambition of mine and hopefully in a year or so I can do just that.”

After a summer that saw one or two difficult moments for Garvan, including going back home for a while, he has started this season strongly.

Many pundits and fans feel he should be in the full squad, let alone the under-21 one, but all he can do is continue in the vein of form he is currently in and his country can surely not overlook him much longer.

Meanwhile, Ipswich Town goalkeeper Neil Alexander has been axed from Scotland's squad to play Lithuania and France in the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Alexander, 29, made his debut for Scotland against Switzerland last year and has since received two more caps. He was an unused substitute in Scotland's 1-0 win over South Africa last week, but despite his fine form for Ipswich this season he has lost his place in the squad to Rangers' Allan McGregor.