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Loan Celt gets Olympic boost

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Toshney-IrvineJackson Irvine has been named in Australia’s Olympic squad.

The midfielder is on loan at Ross County but has never shied away from international duty despite the travel involved and disruption to his club career.

Australia’s u-23 squad are competing for a place in the Rio Olympics with the competition rated second only to the World Cup.

Jackson has been named in a 23 man squad that will face Hong Kong (27 March), Chinese Taipei (29 March) and Myanmar (31 March) with all of the matches played in Kaohsiung City.

Speaking recently about his international prospects he said: “I was fortunate enough to win my first cap last year, when I was on loan at Kilmarnock, and it’s the same situation now, I’m playing every week in a top league in Europe so hopefully the Australian set up is keeping track of that.

“I was recently in China with the under 23 side – it’s good to be involved for your country at any level but the long term target is to make it into the Socceroos team, after having a taste of it you want to get back to that level as quickly as possible.”

Announcing the squad Australian coach Aurelio Vidmar said: “It’s exciting to start the qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games and we’ve put together a squad that has some good international experience and showing good form at club level, both in Australia and throughout Europe,.

The bulk of the squad played in the friendlies late last year when we defeated Korea Republic and drew with Brazil and we have been able to add some experienced firepower in Terry Antonis, Josh Brillante, Adam Taggart, Brad Smith, and Daniel Da Silva to that group.”

Irvine captained Australia at the u-20 World Cup in Turkey in 2013.

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