Republic of Ireland U-21 manager Jim Crawford, left, looks on from the dugout, alongside coach Stephen Rice, before the recent U-21 international friendly against Croatia at Gradski Stadion in Zagreb, Croatia. Photo: Gerry Scully/Sportsfile
It’s approaching 11.0am when the Ireland U-21 squad hop off the team bus and make their way to the dressing rooms at NK Klas, home of the local fifth-tier club just south of Zagreb city centre.
It hasn’t hit noon yet, but a couple of locals are watching on with pints of Karlovacko in hand, as Jim Crawford’s side make their way onto the pitch for their final session before this evening’s friendly against Qatar U-23s (5.0), their final outing before the Euro 2027 qualifying campaign begins in September.