Reece Grego-Cox

International career

Although born in England, Grego-Cox represents the Republic of Ireland at international level qualifying to do so through his grandparents. He began in the Under-17 team, in their elite round for the 2013 European Championship. He made his debut on 25 March 2013 against Austria, scoring the only goal of the game in Schwechat in the 22nd minute. He also featured in the two other games of the round against Georgia and Serbia, as group hosts Austria advanced to the finals.

On 13 November 2014, Grego-Cox made his debut for the Under-19s as they hosted their group in the qualifying round for the 2015 European Championship, starting in a 1–0 win over Malta at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford. Two days later, he opened the scoring in the 3rd minute of a 4–1 victory against Gibraltar at Ferrycarrig Park in Wexford, and on 18 November in Waterford he netted the equaliser for a 1–1 draw with Switzerland. The Republic of Ireland came second in their group and advanced to the elite round.

On 4 September 2015, Grego-Cox made his under-21s debut, coming on as a second-half substitute for Sean Kavanagh in their 4–1 win over Qatar at Gigg Lane in Bury; he scored their third goal. In qualification for the 2019 European Championship on 9 October 2017, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 home win over Israel, including a goal after 40 seconds.

Style of play In May 2014, The Irish Post named Grego-Cox as one of 10 young British-based prospects for the Republic of Ireland. They noted how his "pace and aggressive style of play" had proven successful with the international under-17 team, but acknowledged concerns over his temperament, despite concluding that "a competitive edge didn't do Roy Keane much harm".

Career statistics