Roy Keane's future son-in-law could line up against Ireland this weekend
The former Ireland captain's daughter Leah recently got engaged to Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Roy Keane could see his future son-in-law take on the Republic of Ireland this Sunday.
The former Ireland captain's daughter Leah recently got engaged to Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who has been called up to England's Nations League squad for upcoming clashes against Greece and Ireland.
And Harwood-Bellis, 22, has revealed that has leaned on Ireland legend Keane's experience in the past.
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Harwood-Bellis said: “It’s something that is good, yeah, and I take a lot of advice.”
Asked if he had spoken to him about the Ireland game on Sunday, he said: “No, everything is focused on Greece at the minute.
“It’s a big game with the result at home. Obviously, we want to go over there and get a result. It will be a good atmosphere and a full house. We are looking forward to it and take the challenge on.”
Lee Carsley named the 22-year-old in a senior England squad for the first time having captained his under-21 side to European Championship glory in 2023.
Harwood-Bellis has impressed in an otherwise disappointing start to the season for promoted Southampton, while injuries to Harry Maguire and John Stones have helped pave the way for his selection.
“I couldn’t quite believe it at first,” centre-back Harwood-Bellis said.
“It was a feeling of pride. I was with my partner. Then I phoned my dad and he was very proud.
“The fact I had played for England through the age groups and now I was in the seniors. All my family were delighted.”
England must beat Greece on Thursday if they are to keep their hopes alive of securing automatic promotion back to the Nations League top tier.
Harwood-Bellis may well be restricted to a place on the bench in Athens but is sure to glean a lot from his first experience with the senior squad. The confident under-21s skipper will certainly not shy away from things when called upon, especially as he prides himself as a leader.
“It was a part of me when I was younger,” Harwood-Bellis said. “I’ve been captain all the way through the England age groups and through the age groups at City.
“It’s something that I like. I like being seen as a leader, I like helping my team and people that might want to come to me as their leader.
“Obviously, I’m in a different boat now with the seniors and at Southampton, where there’s a lot more experienced and older players. I am learning and trying to get better at it. I am just learning from everyone I can.”
Harwood-Bellis – one of few people to have lifted a trophy as an England captain – has strong sporting ties in his family.
The defender’s sister Becky represented Great Britain’s basketball team at youth level and his uncle Steve is president of hometown club Stockport, where dad Martin used to be club mascot ‘Vernon Bear’.
“He did it for a good time, to be fair,” the Manchester City youth product said with a laugh.
“It wasn’t just a one-time thing. He was the bear. It was sad to see him stop doing that, to be fair.”
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