Pearce Set For Testimonial Action With Ireland

Derby County’s Alex Pearce could face his former boss on Sunday when the Republic of Ireland travel to Parkhead to take on Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic for Scott Brown’s testimonial.

The Bhoys’ skipper is being recognised after passing a decade with the club, in which he has won eight league titles and made over 450 appearances for the club, and Pearce has been included in Martin O’Neill’s squad to take on the Scottish champions.

Pearce – who made 10 appearances for the Rams in all competitions this season - previously played under Rodgers when the former Liverpool boss took charge of Reading in 2009.

The centre-back will be looking to make his first appearance for his country since he featured in Ireland’s 3-1 friendly victory over Uruguay in June 2017.

After the trip to Scotland, Pearce and O’Neill’s squad will get set to face France in Paris on the 28th May, before returning to Dublin to go up against the United States at the Aviva Stadium on the 2nd June.

Whilst he will not be involved against Celtic, Richard Keogh will join up with the squad prior to the clash at the Stade de France.