Andrew Moran is aiming to make an impression for Ireland during this international window, and the young Dubliner believes that his recent loan move to Stoke City has added consistency to his creativity.
The playmaking attacking midfielder, who was today named as the Under-21 Player of the Year and presented with his award before training, remains on the books at Brighton but has been out mixing it in the Championship over the past two seasons, which has propelled him to the fringes of the Ireland senior squad.
Moran has been instrumental for the Ireland Under-21s in recent years and was one of the key players as Jim Crawford’s side narrowly failed to progress from their group in the recent European championship qualifiers.
But now Moran has again been included in the senior squad – he made his debut against New Zealand last November – and will have the chance to impress Heimir Hallgrimsson in the build-up to both games against Finland on Thursday night at the Aviva Stadium and then away at Wembley on Sunday.
Moran made his senior debut as a 15-year-old with Bray Wanderers back in 2019 and soon after becoming the club’s youngest ever goalscorer – having turned 16 by that stage – he was plucked out of the Carlisle Grounds club and brought to the English south coast to sign for Seagulls of different breed.
One year later, Moran made the breakthrough in the League Cup, however, it was the loan move to Ewood Park in the summer of 2023 where he really started to make an impression in the men’s game, playing 35 league games for Blackburn Rovers.
A struggling side who managed to stay in the Championship thanks in no small part to the many goals of top scorer Sammie Szmodics, with Moran contributing from midfield and proving playmaker on several occasions.
“I would like to think I am a creative midfielder, so I don’t really mind where I play,” said Moran, speaking to the media in Dublin on Monday.
“Wherever I play, I can hopefully bring my strengths and do the things I am good at,” he added.
Moran returned to Brighton for pre-season training ahead of the current season brimming with confidence and bursting with experience gained out on the road away from his parent club.
By his own admission, he enjoyed a good pre-season with the Premier League club, but in the end, decided to go back out on loan for another action-packed season in the gruelling Championship.
Stoke City the destination and Moran again has made the seamless transition into his new surroundings and has enjoyed regular football since arriving at the Potters.
Moran has found himself playing deeper in midfield with a strong emphasis being placed on his defensive game, and while admitting that it has proved challenging at times, it is one that he has energetically embraced.
“Before I went out on loan, I was having conversations to make sure that going out on loan for the season was the right thing to do,” said Moran.
“They (Brighton) said I just needed to focus on getting as much experience as I can and to get little bits to work on, that I can improve on. I really enjoyed pre-season back there.
“He talked about being as consistent as I can. That was one thing I got better from last season. I had some really good games and then some not so good games. I just wanted to find that level ground where I was consistent week in and week out.
“We also talked about defensive stuff like winning battles.”
“I have been playing a bit deeper for Stoke this year, a bit of a different role,” added Moran.
“The manager has been really good with me. I have loved playing for him so far. He has helped me with my defensive stuff which does not come as naturally to me. I am getting quite better off the ball, so it has been a really good experience.”
And Moran is hoping that his versatility and eye for a pass will curry favour with Hallgrimsson, who has certainly hinted that he is looking for a player who is comfortable in possession and can find the runs of front men like Szmodics.
Throw into the equation the fact that the Szmodics of last season has been replaced by fellow striker Tom Cannon who is benefiting from Moran’s vision in the Stoke set-up, and it suggests that it is only a matter of time before Hallgrimsson takes a punt on the Knocklyon native.
“We have got some brilliant players in all areas; hopefully I can show my strengths and if the gaffer thinks I am ready then hopefully I can get in,”
“I don’t really mind where I am playing. I feel quite comfortable now playing deeper.
“Obviously, the higher role comes a little bit more naturally to me, so I look forward to playing anywhere. It is not that I don’t enjoying doing (the defensive stuff) it is more than I have not been exposed to it that much (before now).
“It is great (at Stoke). I feel I am learning loads and that I am doing all right recently, so I am really enjoying it.”
Watch Republic of Ireland v Finland on Thursday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary with 2fm’s Game On