Chris McCann did not want to take his place on the bench

McCann, 20, opted out of the Ireland squad two hours before they beat Bulgaria 1-0, thanks to John-Joe O'Toole's late winner, on Wednesday.

The Burnley youngster told Givens he did not want to take his place on the bench and was subsequently sent home.

"Will I pick him again? Would you?" asked the furious Irish boss.

"Chris McCann came to me at 5.15pm and said he didn't want to be in the squad.

I regret now that he hadn't told me earlier because I'd have got somebody else on the bench RoI U21 boss Don Givens

"He travelled to Montenegro and did not take part. He wasn't in the starting line-up tonight and he didn't want to be in the squad.

"I said to him 'have a think about it because it is obviously going to affect your future'.

"He said that he didn't want to be in so I said to pack his things and go.

"I regret now that he hadn't told me earlier because I'd have got somebody else on the bench. I'd have got a local boy in.

"I could have got somebody in because half this town (Athlone) would give their right arm to play for their country."

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Givens insisted he had had no indication of McCann's unhappiness prior to their discussion shortly before Tuesday's game.

"I don't know the boy very well. He trained fine. There was no problem with his training in Dublin or here. As soon as the team was announced I wish he'd come to me then."

O'Toole's injury-time winner in Athlone gave the Republic their first win in the current Uefa Under-21 Championship qualifiers.