‘No bigger accolade’ - Gavin Cowan on Shrewsbury Town duo’s international call-ups
Two of Cowan’s Salop stars have headed off on international duty.
Shrewsbury Town boss Gavin Cowan says they will “adjust accordingly” as he wished his international absentees well.
Kian McMahon-Brown and Arkell Jude-Boyd will miss Salop’s League Two clash with Oldham Athletic on Saturday after receiving call-ups for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s and Saint Lucia respectively.
Cowan confirmed the pair would miss only one game this time around, and admitted international commitments are something the club considers during recruitment.
He said: “Amazing, especially for Kian, playing for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s - going from the under-19s to the under-21s. And Arkell, again, gets the opportunity to represent his country.
“I don’t think there’s any bigger accolade for a footballer. We do look at it in terms of our recruitment. Sometimes it’s about weighing it up.
“But when you look at those two players and what they can contribute to us day-to-day, they’re good players, and it’s no surprise to me that if they’ve got the opportunity to be called up for their countries, that they do so.
“Really successful for both of them. Kian didn’t get many minutes when he went away with Ireland last time, but the experience of being with the under-21s is massive for him.
“We have to remember that, yes, he’s here for three points, but we also have to respect his development as well. And Arkell is really passionate about playing for his country.
“So, these are the things that we have to take into account. It’s great for them. We have to adjust accordingly and we just wish them well and know that they’ll go on and honour their countries like they should.”
The pair departed after Salop’s FA Cup first round victory over Eastleigh on Saturday.
McMahon-Brown’s Republic of Ireland Under-21s face Finland over two legs in a European Under-21 Championship play-off, with the first leg on Friday and the return in Cork on Tuesday, November 17.
Jude-Boyd’s Saint Lucia, meanwhile, take on Bermuda in the Concacaf Nations League on Friday before facing Barbados the following Tuesday.
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