Jack Grealish rocketed through the Ireland ranks as a youngster but as he prepares to face them for the first time since ditching them for England, there's no ill-feeling (unlike with Declan Rice)... just regret at what might have been

There is a picture on the wall of the Grealish family home in Birmingham of a teenage Jack in the colours of his country - Republic of Ireland, that is.

Still just 17 and yet to kick a ball for Aston Villa, he was already a starter for Ireland's Under 21s. In Dublin and beyond, word was spreading of the English-born prodigy seemingly so happy in green.

With hindsight, Ireland should have acted then, playing on the lure of international exposure for one so young and stitching his allegiance to their jersey.