Seamus Coleman's classy welcome for Ireland new boy Gavin Bazunu had fans praising the captain on social media.
The squad gathered in Manchester yesterday before they fly out to Belgrade today for their World Cup qualifier against Serbia.
Coleman, as is customary, was one of the first to arrive at the Manchester base and the FAI captured a great moment as the Everton man welcomed 19-year-old Bazunu into the international fold.
"You are flying," said Coleman to the young goalkeeper who has become a regular starter for League One side Rochdale after making a loan move from Manchester City. The pair then enjoyed a conversation together.
Bazunu, who City paid Shamrock Rovers £500,000 for in 2019, could be on the Ireland bench in Belgrade with Bournemouth’s Mark Travers starting between the posts.
Regular starter Darren Randolph is out of the match with a thigh injury, while Liverpool stopper Caoimhin Kelleher was ruled out yesterday after failing to overcome an abdominal injury in time.
And Bazunu's former manager Stephen Bradley believes the teenager is more than capable of starting for Ireland if called upon.
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“I speak to Gavin every week and what separates him from a lot of players is his mentality is different,” said the Hoops boss.
“He could still be sitting in Man City's 18s or 23s playing games, but straight away he wanted to go on loan and learn his craft by doing it the hard way.
“If he gets the nod to play, it’ll be no issue for him. He's the type where the bigger the game the better he will be.
“Mentally he’s ready for that step. I know he's only young and it's a really big position and they’re big games for Ireland.
“But Gavin has a really strong mentality and his mindset is that he’ll feel ready to play.”
Bradley added: “The last time he was home - and we were allowed - we went for a game of golf and he'd put on over a stone in muscle. He's only going to get better.”
