Zak Gilsenan M Free Agent b.2003

[MylesNotMiley]

He retweeted the Australian U-23 squad announcement for the Toulon Tournament back in May - he was listed as 'Train On' on the graphic, I'm guessing that's Australian for 'stand-by'.

[JR89]

He retweeted the Australian U-23 squad announcement for the Toulon Tournament back in May - he was listed as 'Train On' on the graphic, I'm guessing that's Australian for 'stand-by'.

They brought an extra six guys in to train with the squad for a week in Italy and he was one but didn't join up for whatever personal reasons.

Was in Dublin a couple of days before that camp started doing one to one training.

[nigel-harps1954]

Presumably waiting to see if he gets an Ireland under-21 callup next month?

[JR89]

Presumably waiting to see if he gets an Ireland under-21 callup next month?

Might be holding out for an Ireland call up. We didn't name our June squad until two weeks after that Australian camp started. Maybe was hoping to he'd get a call for that.

Both us and their 23s have qualifiers next month so be interesting to see if they try call him up again. Would assume he'd have to do some sort of paperwork to play for them to take part in actual qualifiers even if he's never played for us. Mays camp was only to come in and train with them.

Think Crawford should be proactive and just get him in next month to train at the minimum. Covers LW, AM, RW, and has filled in at CF at underage.

[Razors left peg]

Might be holding out for an Ireland call up. We didn't name our June squad until two weeks after that Australian camp started. Maybe was hoping to he'd get a call for that.

Both us and their 23s have qualifiers next month so be interesting to see if they try call him up again. Would assume he'd have to do some sort of paperwork to play for them to take part in actual qualifiers even if he's never played for us. Mays camp was only to come in and train with them.

Think Crawford should be proactive and just get him in next month to train at the minimum. Covers LW, AM, RW, and has filled in at CF at underage.

If he continues like he played yesterday, with a goal and assist on his debut he'll be in the U21 squad 100% on merit. Him and Emakhu have had a good 1st week of the season and makes them both an interesting watch for the next few weeks to see if they can continue it.

[JR89]

Doesn't make the match day squad for today's game unfortunately.

[tetsujin1979]

Interviewed yesterday about his debut in the league cup recently

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/august/23/-i-had-the-feeling-i-could-do-it--/

[tetsujin1979]

Second appearance for Gilsenan tonight, and second goal
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[SkStu]

nice hit - looks like he might have hurt himself in the celebration.

[pineapple stu]

Scored the eighth as well so can't have been too bad

That's the worst wall I've ever seen, it has to be said

[SkStu]

Pretty sure he just got the one…

Yeah, wall was a bit shambolic but you still have to hit the target! Either way, nice to see. Started the season well.

[pineapple stu]

Futbol24 gives him two anyway. But yeah, BBC gives Edmonson the eighth, and it doesn't seem there's any confusion over it; guy ran through one-on-one to slot home. Strange one!

[tetsujin1979]

Anytime there's confusion, I usually defer to the club's twitter feed

Highlights of the game here
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<EDIT>

Just noticed he plays with his socks down around his ankles - Grealish style

[tetsujin1979]

Interviewed at the weekend in the Independent
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/from-blanchardstown-to-barcelona-liverpool-and-blackburn-zak-gilsenans-unlikely-football-journey/a1758924845.html

[Eirambler]

Is Gilsenan injured at the moment or just not rated particularly highly by Blackburn? We've seen Finneran and Bloxham on the Blackburn bench in the last week or two but no sign of Gilsenan. Granted they all play different positions in midfield and Gilsenan is likely being blocked by Moran who is a similar player, but he doesn't seem to be getting into match day squads as much as you'd like to see given he's 20 and someone like Finneran is only 15.

[tetsujin1979]

Played for their U21s a week ago - https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/december/05/report--rovers-under-21s-1-2-bolton-wanderers-b/ - but they didn't have a game over the weekend

[Demesne Lad]

Off the bench for the last half-hour and scored twice in Blackburn Rovers U-21's 4-1 home win v Sparta Praha U-21s in the Premier League International Cup.

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/january/25/report--rovers-under-21s-4-1-ac-sparta-praha-under-21s/

[tetsujin1979]

Off the bench for the last half-hour and scored twice in Blackburn Rovers U-21's 4-1 home win v Sparta Praha U-21s in the Premier League International Cup.

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/january/25/report--rovers-under-21s-4-1-ac-sparta-praha-under-21s/

Highlights from the game are on YouTube
Gilsenan's goals at 3:15 and 4:52
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[tetsujin1979]

Looking to go out on loan before the transfer window closes
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/once-you-have-that-taste-of-first-team-football-you-always-want-more-blackburns-zak-gilsenan-targets-loan-move/a230065619.html

[seanfhear]

Highlights from the game are on YouTube
Gilsenan's goals at 3:15 and 4:52
ARcqOEPhZ-E
Wears the socks very low down. Would every ref allow that re; Shin-guards ?

[tetsujin1979]

Nominated for PL2 Player of the Month for February
https://www.premierleague.com/news/3915210

[tetsujin1979]

Had hoped to see him play in Blackburn's league cup game last night, but he's going to be out for a few weeks with an injury
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[tetsujin1979]

Still no return date for his injury - https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/24582644.blackburn-rovers-fitness-update-two-long-term-absentees/

Zak Gilsenan is another long-term absentee, who suffered a setback on the eve of pre-season after picking up a thigh injury.
Unlike Leonard, he is not particularly close to making a return and is another player that Rovers will have to be patient with.

"Zak's still getting rehabbed for his thigh, I believe it is. We haven't seen much of him, unfortunately," Eustace explained.

"He's another really exciting player and when he's back fit, we're very much looking forward to having him in the group."

That's two long term injuries he's already had before his career gets going properly, hopefully he makes a full recovery

[tetsujin1979]

Update on his recovery. Might see him back after the international break in November
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[tetsujin1979]

Has had to undergo surgery again to correct an issue with his tendon. Is aiming to be back for preseason in the summer, after more than a year out
https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/february/18/gilsenan--my-toughest-challenge-yet/

[liamoo11]

Has had to undergo surgery again to correct an issue with his tendon. Is aiming to be back for preseason in the summer, after more than a year out
https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/february/18/gilsenan--my-toughest-challenge-yet/

Tough after already missing a year a few seasons back with an acl

[Eirambler]

You'd have to worry that might be one injury too many for him at that age. Very hard to come back at a high level after missing that much football.

[CraftyToePoke]

Released by Blackburn.

https://the72.co.uk/2025/05/08/blackburn-rovers-to-release-zak-gilsenan-this-summer/

[tetsujin1979]

That's terrible news for the guy, but he has spent the majority of the last two years in the treatment room
Might make a good short term signing for a league of Ireland club
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[Eirambler]

Yes, either the League of Ireland or the A League in Australia could be a good move for him. Even when he was fit Blackburn never really seemed to have the faith in him to pick him in games that actually mattered.

[liamoo11]

Yes, either the League of Ireland or the A League in Australia could be a good move for him. Even when he was fit Blackburn never really seemed to have the faith in him to pick him in games that actually mattered.

Terrible run.of injury when he was on fringes of first team. Best of luck