To say that Harvey Vale’s inclusion in the Republic of Ireland squad on Thursday was a surprise would only be a half-truth.
For the most observant among the Irish fanbase, the activities of Queens Park Rangers’ social media team would have already provided a spoiler.
Late on Wednesday, a soon-to-be deleted video preview of an interview with the 22-year-old landed on the London club’s website. The title ‘Harvey Vale Ireland Call-Up’ might have been a clue.
The subhead which read ‘Harvey Answers Ireland Call’ might have had Columbo hanging up his raincoat and calling it a night and Poirot prematurely shooing away expectant dinner guests.
Even with the suspense a little slackened before Heimir Hallgrimsson revealed his squad for next Thursday’s eagerly-anticipated World Cup play-off semi-final against Czech Republic, Vale was still a point of intrigue among the 25 names listed for the flight to Prague.
The midfielder’s switch of allegiance from his birth nation of England was only rubber-stamped by FIFA last week.
“The formalities were just England signing the international clearance because he was playing all youth teams for England,” Hallgrimsson said of the timeline for a player who captained the Three Lions to European Under-19 glory in 2022.
“That was the obstacle that for FIFA was in the way because he already had his passport and everything.”
QPR’s Harvey Vale has officially switched allegiances from England to the Republic of Ireland@Paul_Corry gives his take on the former Chelsea youth player
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But as Hallgrimsson outlined, talks about representing Ireland had begun a year ago with his Irish connection coming via a Kerry-born grandfather. The timing would have been shortly after Vale had signed for QPR in February 2025.
Previous to that, he had come through Chelsea’s much-vaunted youth set-up. Like many of the talents the London club produces, he had loan spells away from Stamford Bridge.
In his case those formative experiences came at Hull City and Bristol Rovers, making almost 50 appearances in all competitions for the latter in the 2023-24 season, a portion of which came out of position at left back.
Although, he never played for Chelsea in the Premier League or Championship, Vale did make a total of seven first-team appearances in the Conference League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup over the past four years.
Shamrock Rovers fans would have seen him first-hand briefly just before Christmas 2024 when he came on as a half-time sub in their 5-1 Conference League defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Harvey Vale challenges Darragh Burns during the Chelsea v Shamrock Rovers match in December 2024
But it’s since he made the not-too-distant move from one part of west London to another that he has grown in prominence.
This season has seen Vale make 23 appearances in the Championship and his place in the QPR team has been particularly cemented since late January.
He has played the full 90 minutes in eight of the last ten league games and marked his Ireland switch with a notable performance against Leicester City at the weekend.
Vale opened the scoring in the 3-1 away win over the Foxes, latching onto a long pass behind the defence, dinking the ball past the on-rushing Leicester goalkeeper and tucking in at the near post.
His run and cross from the right flank forced an own goal for QPR’s second and a corner with his favoured left foot from the same right side would deliver a second assist of the day.
Like the previous five fixtures, Vale nominally started on the right wing at the King Power Stadium. But he has also played in an attacking midfield role earlier in the season.
Harvey Vale celebrates his goal against Leicester – his third of the Championship season
While Hallgrimsson values his versatility, the Ireland manager judged a central role as most suited to the young midfielder’s attributes.
“He’s been playing out left for QPR but he is probably best in a centre role. He is a versatile player, can play all across the top positions,” he told RTÉ Sport.
Hallgrimsson would go a bit further in his analysis of the player whilst holding court with the newspapers in the FAI’s boardroom. A comparison to a certain Southampton playmaker came to the Iceland native’s mind.
“Like I said in the press conference, I don’t see where his roof is at the moment because he is growing,” he said.
“He is obviously highly-rated as a youngster with Chelsea. I would say he is a similar player in a way like Finn Azaz, he is a clever footballer, he is quick-thinking, good-positioning.
“Attacking-wise he’s like Finn in creating and scoring goals, he’s kind of that type. He is playing on the wing a lot so he is versatile as well.”
Given what’s at stake in Prague next week, whether Vale sees any on-field action is unclear.
But Hallgrimsson’s words about all the uncapped players in the squad – Bosun Lawal, James Abankwah and goalkeeper Josh Keeley – suggests nothing is off limits: “No, if we have selected them we trust them.”
Watch Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm on Thursday, 26 March. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
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