Irish Rising Stars: Promising Prospects at Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolverhampton Wanderers have always embraced their role in bringing through young Irish talent.

For one youthful 17-year old in particular, one day in August 1997 proved to be the starting point in his footballing dream.

Crumlin’s Robbie Keane thrilled the home crowd who packed into Molineux that afternoon.

Scoring a debut brace, his exploits led the way to a 2-0 victory over Norwich in what was then the First Division. Excelling almost immediately, Wolves provided the young Irishman in his initial steps toward perfecting his game.

Eleven goals that season was followed by an even better return in 1998-99.

Going on to become the club’s leading scorer with 16 goals, Keane then earned himself a move to the Premier League. A £6 million signing for Coventry City, he joined The Sky Blues just weeks into the 1999-2000 season.

This was a then British record transfer fee for a teenager at the time.

Collins, Hodge and Ronan Lead the Irish Charge:

Nowadays, a new trio of young Irish recruits are present at Molineux – on the hunt to follow in the footsteps of one of Irish football’s modern greats.

A £20.5 million signing from Burnley this summer, Nathan Collins is the primary standout.

The 21 year-old Leixlip native has enjoyed a solid start to his journey in the West Midlands having formed a strong relationship with fellow centre-half, Max Kilman.

Defensively sound, Wolves have relied upon their steady partnership, and Collins, in particular, has quickly become a leader of the group.

Opening with three clean sheets in their first six games – the team looked to have a solid foundation.

However, things have since turned.

Collective mistakes have led to a series of losses, and the young Collins has contributed his fair share.

A promising start was broken in mid-September when the Irishman pummelled chest first into Manchester City winger, Jack Grealish. With no arguments to be made, Collins received a straight red card in an encounter which was to end in a dour 3-0 defeat.

Fast forward two weeks and another 2-0 loss away to West Ham ended manager, Bruno Lage’s reign at Molineux.

Replaced by interim coach Steve Davis, Wolves’ form continued to slide, eventually leaving the team rooted bottom to the Premier League table as the season broke for this years’ World Cup in Qatar.

However, with adversity for some comes opportunity for others and Joe Hodge has certainly grabbed his chance.

The 20-year old has made the jump from underage level in virtually serene fashion.

Since being dealt his debut away to Chelsea in October, the former product of Manchester City’s academy has racked up three further first-team appearances – firmly placing himself in the minds of the Molineux faithful.

Hodge’s development and determined attitude has also been noticed at management level too.

Speaking on his acceleration into the first-team squad, caretaker boss, Davis, was quick to share his acclaim.

“Joe has shown guts, determination and courage to want to play and get on the ball. Beyond that, he didn’t disappoint us.

“He deserves that opportunity. He’s shown us and the supporters that he’s capable. He’s an all-round player who can do a bit of everything well, and he has a great personality. He’s a great kid and that goes a long way.”

Along with Hodge, Connor Ronan is yet another member from Wanderers’ Irish brigade who is making swift moves.

First joining the Wolves Academy in 2014 as a 16 year-old, his progress has stifled since.

In a career littered by loan spells at Portsmouth, Blackpool and Grasshoppers – he finally hit his stride while at St. Mirren last year.

Breaking through, he scored eight goals in 30 appearances during his time north of the border – winning the club’s Player of the Season and Goal of the Season awards in the process.

But now the technically gifted 24-year old is taking the next step – looking to set himself up as a first-team regular in gold and black.

Speaking with positivity regarding his future, Ronan also remains grounded concerning his game time.

“My plan is to take each game as it comes. It would be nice to get more minutes and pick up that experience.

“I’m going to try and get more minutes first and then re-assess. I’m happy to take it game by game.”

Bright Futures Can Flourish Under Coaching of Lopetegui:

Far from the gloom felt around Molineux after the sacking of Lage, the arrival of Julen Lopetegui has once again reinvigorated spirits. A prodigious name in the game, he is a man who comes with a fantastic resumé.

Launching his coaching career in 2008, Lopetegui has gone on to head the likes of Porto, Real Madrid and Sevilla – while this has also included spells in between with the Spanish national team, where he managed at all levels from under-19 up to the senior squad.

Describing his footballing philosophy, Lopetegui focuses intently on the competiveness, drive and personality of his players.

Flexibility is also important to him. A mentor who emphasises a handling of concepts over football systems – decisiveness and effective decision-making is crucial.

As Lopetegui tells it personally, “Above all, I aspire for my team to have a defined personality, that is, clear game concepts so that during the match we know how to find the best solutions. For that, the commitment of the player and his understanding of the game is essential.”

Add to this his propensity to actively utilise young talent and Lopetegui’s arrival at Wolves’ will be seen as music to the ears of this fledgling Irish core.

In fact, in already expressing this, Hodge was specifically pulled up by Lopetegui as a player he has earmarked for future opportunities.

Witnessing a fine cameo performance against Leeds in last month’s Carabao Cup third-round tie, Lopetegui noted,

“We will see. We have one month to work with them, we are going to take a decision after seeing them.”

“But for instance, I have seen in the match against Leeds United, Hodge. He showed he is a good player and of course we are open.”

“If we have a good player we are not thinking about the passport or the age. We are thinking about the quality and the personality and about the truth in the pitch.”

A promising remark made towards one of the country’s most exciting prospects – the future indicates great signs.

One thing can be said for sure – Lopetegui’s exudes an aura which stands on its own.

An immense figure whose footballing fundamentals lay strictly in education and the fostering of competitiveness, commitment, fight and desire – he exhibits all the abilities needed to mould these unrefined Irish stars into future heroes.

(First published in December 2022)