Pearce: I've got green light

Aidan Fitzmaurice

IRELAND'S latest recruit, Reading defender Alex Pearce, says he's been given the green light to start his international career with the Republic of Ireland after dealing with all the red tape.

It had been reported that Pearce, who was a late call-up into the squad for tonight's friendly against Oman in London, was not yet eligible to play competitive games for Ireland due to his association with Scotland's U21 side.

But the 24-year-old insists he's good to go.

"Everything has gone through, I have my passport now and my clearance to play for Ireland so as far as I am concerned I am ready to play in all the games," the Reading man told the Herald.

"The passport came through really quickly so hopefully I can get to play some part in the friendly tonight and then see if I can stay in the squad for the two qualifiers next month.

"It's a brilliant feeling to be in the Irish squad and I hope I can do myself justice," added Pearce, who was born in England but qualified for Ireland through his paternal grandmother and won that single Irish U14 cap before his switch to Scotland.