After former Glentoran youngster Haughey scored a famous winning penalty for Fleetwood Town in their Carabao Cup upset against Premier League giants Arsenal, reports emerged that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) were “hopeful” of convincing the 19-year-old to switch his international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.

Haughey is a graduate of the Irish FA’s JD Academy and has represented Northern Ireland up to U21 level – he started for Tommy Wright’s side in their final European Championships qualifying group match against Greece in October.

While announcing his senior squad for Northern Ireland’s crucial upcoming Nations League double-header against Ukraine and Hungary earlier this week, Michael O’Neill insisted “there was no need” to speak to Haughey as the centre-back had made no indication that he wanted to seek a transfer at this stage.

The Republic of Ireland’s U21s finished second behind England in their Euro qualifying campaign and will face Finland later this month in a play-off for a spot at the major tournament.

Crawford admitted he spoke to Haughey after being “told he wanted to play for the Republic” and viewed him as a potential option for future tournaments.

"He's somebody that I spoke to before, and I was delighted for him that he scored the penalty," said Crawford on RTE, adding that “receptive” talks with Haughey happened "a while back". "Look, I know he's been involved in the Northern Ireland set-up in the last international window but, for me, I was sort of looking at Conor for the next campaign.

"He came on my radar and I was told he wanted to play for the Republic and this is what happens at times because our selection criteria is how are they doing at their clubs? Are they playing first-team football? Are they playing meaningful minutes there? Can they impact the under-21s in terms of getting to the play-offs?

"We had some players that were ahead of him at that particular time, and the group that we did select have got us this far to the play-offs.

"But as an international manager, you've got to be looking around corners saying, 'OK, the next group that's going to come in, who can help that?'

"But in the meantime, Northern Ireland's 21s, they've called him up and he's decided to play and I said it time and time again, if somebody wants to play with Northern Ireland, I'm not going to be twisting their arm.

"For me, I want players who want to play with the Republic and then we'll have strong conversations and then we'll get them involved.

"So very best of luck to him if he decides to stay with the North because then playing with the under-21s in the last campaign rules him out of this campaign. My thoughts right now are with the group that we have right now."