Jack Iredale (Hibernian | Scotland)

So Bolton (currently 5th) will go into the League One playoffs, either placed 5th or 6th. So they will play either Barnsley or Sheffield Wednesday

Unfortunately Iredale hasn't played since 3rd January. He'd played 19 games up to then, so he's obviously done some sort of injury.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/jack-iredale/493215/

Some chat on Iredale in the Crocombe thread. Found this interesting recent article from 5 days ago.

Every other article I'll read of his desire to play for the Socceroos. But he'll know his best prsopect of cracking a WC squad in 2026 lies with the AWs.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/08/22/bolton-wanderers-defender-is-on-all-whites-radar-reports-claim/

English media reports say Bolton Wanderers left back Jack Iredale is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Australia’s Socceroos and New Zealand’s All Whites.

Iredale moved to New Zealand when he was a baby, and lived in Hamilton till he was 10, taking up football as a Waikato junior at the age of six.

Football site The RealEFL reports that Australia head coach Graham Arnold will attend a Wanderers’ game soon to watch Iredale ahead of a potential first call-up to the Socceroos who play New Zealand in a friendly on Tuesday October 17 in London.

According to the Bolton journalist I contacted, Iredale wasn't that interested in the AWs. Things can change though. 

Rusty Dunks

According to the Bolton journalist I contacted, Iredale wasn't that interested in the AWs. Things can change though. 

Yes things can change and being at Bolton he is playing for a team called 'The Whites'. But in this article from Nov last year, it was all about trying to crack the Socceroos. Again at 27 he will know 2026 is his one shot at playing at a WC, and that path will be easier with NZ, especially given AWs CBs stock now look pretty weak.

Could all depend on what promises Arnie makes when he meets up with Iredale. And then presumably Bazeley will pay a UK visit as well to Iredale, Bindon, Dibley-Dias etc in Sept/October. Even Jelacic in Norway - he isn't cap tied to Aussie yet.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/iredale-bolton-australia-world-cup-25538399

Iredale's personal dream is to play for Australia at a World Cup. He believes a big reason behind his move to Bolton was to aid his personal goals too, and believes that playing hopefully in the Championship with the club in the near future will help him in that regard.

He said: “It was always my dream to play for Australia at a World Cup. I thought I might have had a possible chance, especially playing at a club as big as Bolton.

“I haven’t quite got recognised and scouted yet, but it’s definitely right at the very top of my goals list and I’m going to keep doing everything I can to try and hopefully get a call-up one day because it would be a dream for me.

Rusty Dunks

According to the Bolton journalist I contacted, Iredale wasn't that interested in the AWs. Things can change though. 

Arnold will likely name a Socceroos squad this week for friendly 10th Sept against Mexico in Texas.

I guess the other thing to keep in mind is that Iredale is a LB. So unless Baze plans on playing a back 5 a la Scotland with Robertson and Tierney, there’s no guarantee that Iredale would even play over Libby.

Friar Tuck

I guess the other thing to keep in mind is that Iredale is a LB. So unless Baze plans on playing a back 5 a la Scotland with Robertson and Tierney, there’s no guarantee that Iredale would even play over Libby.

He's played plenty at CB as well apparently. Bit like Francis de Vries. He's a reasonably big unit at 184cm. Pijnaker hasn't really nailed down the left CB spot, and Tommy Smith is getting on.

Iredale would be a very useful defensive utility for the AWs. But likely all moot if Arnie picks him for the Socceroos this week.

https://www.realvpm.com/jack-on-jack-a-look-at-the-career-of-jack-iredale/

“Left back is my preferred position but I played centre back in Australia so I’m relatively comfortable there,” explained Jack.

Misses out on the Socceroos again. If he can't make a somewhat experimential Socceroos squad with 5 unapped players, he'd have to be wondering if he ever will.

Looks like he's missed out to Burgess at Ipswich who has a very similar life story.

At 27 wouldn't surprise now if Iredale made himself available for the AWs.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/subway-socceroos-squad-named-face-mexico

Defender Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town FC) will also join the Subway Socceroos for the first time, following strong performances in the EFL Championship. Originally born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Burgess emigrated to Australia with his family as an 11-year-old where he played for ECU Joondalup in Perth before returning to Europe after securing his first professional contract with Fulham FC.

Hasn't been picked for this window by the Socceroos. Neither has Stensness. Wonder if Gianni will come to regret not choosing the All Whites. Wonder if there's a lesson there for Mr Iredale.

imanixsupporter

Hasn't been picked for this window by the Socceroos. Neither has Stensness. Wonder if Gianni will come to regret not choosing the All Whites. Wonder if there's a lesson there for Mr Iredale.

Stensness is injured. Hasn't played for Viking since mid June. At 24 and already capped by Arnold he still has a bit of time. Iredale 3 years older, and continously overlooked, less so.

Bell, Stamenic & Greive (x2) all with club team mates in the Socceroos. Will be a bit of banter as that October friendly approaches.

Was talking with Iredale’s father Paul while watching Perth Red Star under 20’s v Perth Glory at the weekend at ECU.
He stated that the door isn’t closed regarding his son representing NZ.
NZ Football has been in contact with Jack. Not sure if I got it right as I thought Paul said that his wife and Pragnell new each other through Judo.
The family need to provide proof of his schooling and time lived in NZ  to NZ Football.
Hope this is helpful.

Is his eligibility in doubt or something?

Or is some nz football staffer justifying his job?

AucklandPhoenix

Is his eligibility in doubt or something?

Or is some nz football staffer justifying his job?

Remember the huge fallout & angst over the Deklan Wynne saga. I'm sure NZF do everything by the eligibility book these days. If it takes time, it takes time.

And had a google on Andrew Pragnell and judo. He was no mug. Like Iredale's mum he represented NZ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q86S62ybavw

coochiee

AucklandPhoenix

Is his eligibility in doubt or something?

Or is some nz football staffer justifying his job?

Remember the huge fallout & angst over the Deklan Wynne saga. I'm sure NZF do everything by the eligibility book these days. If it takes time, it takes time.

And had a google on Andrew Pragnell and judo. He was no mug. Like Iredale's mum he represented NZ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q86S62ybavw

As well as having a New Zealand passport (or being able to get one), he needs to be able to prove he spent the requisite period of time spent living in New Zealand – three years – which is what the document gathering will be about.

I’m not sure if he helps but if any one from nz football needs to know, one can get ones travel movements from the government with a phone call, which clearly will show time spent in NZ

Socceroos Asian Cup squad picked and left back Iredale (age 27) overlooked yet again. However a Bolton Wanderers defender team mate has received his first Australia callup. Might mean Iredale doesn't give up on his Aussie national team dream just yet.

Bolton Wanderers defender Gethin Jones has received his inaugural Socceroos call-up. Born in Perth, the now 28-year-old moved to England when he was 12 and later joined Everton's academy before spending the bulk of his career in League One. Jones, who has represented Wales at youth level, is primarily a centre-back but can operate at right-back as well.

coochiee

Socceroos Asian Cup squad picked and left back Iredale (age 27) overlooked yet again. However a Bolton Wanderers defender team mate has received his first Australia callup. Might mean Iredale doesn't give up on his Aussie national team dream just yet.

Bolton Wanderers defender Gethin Jones has received his inaugural Socceroos call-up. Born in Perth, the now 28-year-old moved to England when he was 12 and later joined Everton's academy before spending the bulk of his career in League One. Jones, who has represented Wales at youth level, is primarily a centre-back but can operate at right-back as well.

coochiee

Socceroos Asian Cup squad picked and left back Iredale (age 27) overlooked yet again. However a Bolton Wanderers defender team mate has received his first Australia callup. Might mean Iredale doesn't give up on his Aussie national team dream just yet.

Bolton Wanderers defender Gethin Jones has received his inaugural Socceroos call-up. Born in Perth, the now 28-year-old moved to England when he was 12 and later joined Everton's academy before spending the bulk of his career in League One. Jones, who has represented Wales at youth level, is primarily a centre-back but can operate at right-back as well.

coochiee

Socceroos Asian Cup squad picked and left back Iredale (age 27) overlooked yet again. However a Bolton Wanderers defender team mate has received his first Australia callup. Might mean Iredale doesn't give up on his Aussie national team dream just yet.

Bolton Wanderers defender Gethin Jones has received his inaugural Socceroos call-up. Born in Perth, the now 28-year-old moved to England when he was 12 and later joined Everton's academy before spending the bulk of his career in League One. Jones, who has represented Wales at youth level, is primarily a centre-back but can operate at right-back as well.

Coochiee, it appears that Iredale has made the Asian Cup squad as per the Australian Football website.

John Iredale a 24 yr old striker who plays Liga 2 in Germany. No relation I understand to Jack.

Go to the Socceroos thread further down the Forum. Welcome aboard, but beginners mistake as they say.

Surely at 27 years old if you’ve been continually overlooked by Australia you would start to seriously consider New Zealand. 27 isn’t old but he only has so much time if he wants to forge an international career. The high chance we will be at the next World Cup has to be a bonus.

Copied from another thread, as way of an A Voerman update on Iredale's current AWs eligibilty status.

I believe this has hit a dead end for now, but not for a lack of interest on either side.

Good to get an update. He only lived in NZ from being a toddler (UK born) until age 10 (moving to Aussie). But his brief time in NZ common to alot of Kiwis kids.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/08/22/bolton-wanderers-defender-is-on-all-whites-radar-reports-claim/

His father, Paul, played schoolboy rugby for England, and his mother, Fiona, represented New Zealand in judo at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Though he was encouraged to play rugby, Iredale’s schoolmates introduced him to football.

“There were six of us at lunchtime that would just play football — everyone else had a rugby ball,” he told England’s Cambridge Independent.

“I went home one day, aged six, and said to my mum that the local team was having soccer try-outs and I wanted to go and play.

“My mum had no idea that I played, she just thought I would be useless at it really but I wanted to play football and she wasn’t going to stop that, so she took me down.

Dead end for now, though both sides are interested. What could that mean other than that he isn't eligible?

imanixsupporter

Dead end for now, though both sides are interested. What could that mean other than that he isn't eligible?

Thread closed?

Doesn't appear to be any more news on his eligibility or not.

Anyway Bolton (3rd) are into the L1 promotion playoff semis and play Barnsley (6th) away in leg 1 tonight.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/05/03/england/league-one/barnsley-fc/bolton-wanderers-football-club/4341506/

Bolton win 3-1, so looking good for the playoff final at Wembley. 2nd home semi leg this week.

Iredale an unused sub. 

Wonder if there is any closure on sorting out his AWs eligibility or not?
Bit rough. As well as having to overcome 2 different ACL injuries, he's a type 1 diabetic!
https://www.diabeteschat.net/diabeteschat-jack-iredale-6-2-2023/

Bolton of course losing the League One promotion playoff to Des's Oxford 2-0. Iredale off the bench at 66 mins (2-0) in the big Wembley game.

You know.....I'm a dog with a bone......I just looked on the FIFA site, and Iredale should be ok to play for NZ?

https://inside.fifa.com/legal/media-releases/fifa-publishes-explainer-on-eligibility-to-play-for-representative-teams

Guide to Submitting.....

Page 14

"The player began living on the territory of the relevant association before the age of 10 and has lived on said territory at least three years."

Like......that seems a green light to me?

As well as a dog with a bone, I'm also a cynical dog for a bone. That story of NZF and Iredale trying to make it happen.....I heard from a Bolton journalist who directly asked Iredale about it, and said Iredale didn't see all that keen. Maybe that NZF story is a story to save face for all concerned?

If he is eligible, he must be able to be convinced?

It's an interesting one. I think it was AV who wrote that NZF & Iredale had looked into it with FIFA, but for now it didn't seem he was eligible.

Interesting that Andrew Pragnell was a judoka for NZ around the same time as Iredale's mum. And there is a cool yarn about Jack being sideline watching his mum compete at the Sydney Olympics for NZ.

He's been overlooked continuously for the Socceroos, and now seen his Bolton club team mate Gethin Jones (mostly a CB I think) picked for Australia. Both age 28. Surely Iredale would have to think NZ is his best shot at international football now.

But maybe like Stensness, Jelacic etc in his gut he just feels Australian, and playing for NZ wouldn't seem right. Or as a LB he's noted that Libby has played about 90% of the AWs games since his debut, and Iredale would rarely play even if picked in a squad.

coochiee

It's an interesting one. I think it was AV who wrote that NZF & Iredale had looked into it with FIFA, but for now it didn't seem he was eligible.

Interesting that Andrew Pragnell was a judoka for NZ around the same time as Iredale's mum. And there is a cool yarn about Jack being sideline watching his mum compete at the Sydney Olympics for NZ.

He's been overlooked continuously for the Socceroos, and now sent his Bolton team mate Gethin Jones (more CB I think) picked for Australia. Both age 28. Surely Iredale would have to think NZ is his best shot at international football now.

But maybe like Stensness, Jelacic etc in his gut he just feels Australian, and playing for NZ wouldn't seem right. Or as a LB he's noted that Libby has played about 90% of the AWs games since his debut, and he'd rarely play even if picked in a squad.

Like I say, my sniff-test doesn't align with the NZF line. 

Play Iredale at CB, where we're desperately short. Libby isn't a good defensive fullback, so a left sided CB could cover the inevitable gaps left by Cacace being up the field. 

I get the feeling he's not bothered about international football. 

Australia seems very unlikely to happen as Bolton is now a bottom feeder club so being average there will not get him an Aussie cap. NZ will be his best bet and he knows it but obviously does not give a shark.

Signs on at Hibs

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/30/jack-iredale-joins-hibs-/

Iredale has been struggling to get mins (70 in total) at Hibs. Just 2 appearances off the bench, once replacing Socceroos RB Lewis Miller. Iredale might have arrived in Scotland with an injury.

Cluster of Aussies at Hibs. Triantis, Miller, and Martin Boyle. Plus Aus/Kiwi Iredale.
Hibernian having an awful season, last in the SPL. Should have kept on Nick Montgomery.


Read that Croat/Aussie Marin Jakoliš at Macarthur has Australian citizenship, but FIFA's rules say he is ineligible for the Socceroos. His dad came to Australia at 3 months of age, but then returned to Croatia at 15 when his parent's divorced (Jakoliš's grandparents). Because Jakoliš's dad was not born in Australia, Jakoliš must reside in Aussie 5 years before he is eligible for the Socceroos. Got me thinking might be a similar sort of situation that makes Iredale ineligible for the AWs.

Socceroos final squad named for some huge games against Japan & Saudi.
Jack Iredale was in the UAE training camp but didn't make the final cut.

So Iredale not eligible for the AWs, but definitely on the Australian national team fringes.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/squad-notes-seven-players-return-three-set-first-socceroos-training-camp-abu-dhabi


First training camp
Jack Iredale, Defender

Jack Iredale will be involved in his first Socceroos training camp after impressing for Hibernian this season. The 29-year-old former Australian youth international has plied his trade in the UK for most of his career, for clubs such as Cambridge United and Bolton Wanderers.

The 6ft defender started his career with the Perth Glory before heading overseas to the country of his birth, Scotland.

Iredale will be surrounded by some familiar faces in Abu Dhabi, with club teammates Martin Boyle, Lewis Miller and Nectarios Triantis also included in Popovic's training squad.

Yeah, about time we close the thread on this one.

He wouldn't even crack our current squad. He's not any better than our 4 CBs. He'd be competing with Smith. Time to move on...

Would Pijnaker go to Hibs (finished 3rd this season) and immediately be in the starting lineup and play 28 SPL games? 

Have my doubts. Still seems to have a bad error in him every couple of games

Plus I like Iredale’s yarn of being sideline as a 4-5 yr old watching his mum compete for NZ in judo at the Sydney Olympics. Hopefully for him he gets a Socceroos cap one day

Jack Iredale destined to never play international football!

https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/socceroos-skipper-mat-ryan-to-return-for-games-against-canada-and-the-united-states-as-coach-makes-changes-to-australias-squad/news-story/12b0d7101a169bf93a636d0d232e9322

From the Soccer Ashes squad, players omitted are attacking weapons Noah Botic (Austria Vienna), Nicolas Milanovic (Aberdeen, Scotland), Adrian Segecic (Portsmouth, England) and Sam Silvera (Middlesbrough, England), midfielders Anthony Kalik (Hajduk Split, Croatia) and Ryan Teague (Mechelen, Belgium), defender Jack Iredale (Hibernian, Scotland) and goalkeeper Tom Glover, who is without a club.

For the second squad in succession, no A-League players have been chosen.

Socceroos: Daniel Arzani, Max Balard, Jordan Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Cameron Devlin, Mitch Duke, Nicholas D’Agostino, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Ajdin Hrustic, Nestory Irankunda, Paul Izzo, Fran Karacic, Hayden Matthews, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Alex Robertson. Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Mohamed Toure, Patrick Yazbek.

Guess he really is an Australian.
Named in November's Socceroos squad

pic.twitter.com/RuQO585hz7

— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 7, 2025

Time to remove this guy from the forum

AucklandPhoenix

Time to remove this guy from the forum

Tyler Boyd is still in here. Though he did once yes play for the AWs.

Iredale sat on the bench for both Socceroos games against Venezuela and Colombia.
Remains uncapped!