Coleman leading the way again for Ireland O’NEILL HAILS HIS CAPTAIN
THE pitch was lively, as was the training game, while Martin O’Neill was also in a spirited mood as he supervised the young bucks in Belek who may shape his future as Republic of Ireland manager.
Just turned 66, O’Neill was like his old self, throwing in the odd one-liner and exchanging banter with the ‘lads’ of the press.
He even played ball with RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue, which was a most welcome development.
It was O’Neill who offered the nugget on Reading midfielder Liam Kelly, hitherto little-known among Irish fans, and likely to be even less so now after texting O’Neill to say ‘thanks, but no thanks,’ for an Irish call.
Kelly has his reasons and if he feels uncomfortable with the Irish involvement, he’s right to cut and run.
Others have done so before, most recently Jack Grealish, and others will follow, for having an Irish name and Irish lineage doesn’t necessarily equate to a Republic of Ireland yen.
If a player’s heart isn’t in it, it’s best for all to move on.
O’Neill offered positive news on Jon Walters’ intentions. Whether the Burnley striker, 35 in September, can recover the level of fitness he needs to be playing at a decent level to warrant international selection remains to be seen, but O’Neill is keeping the door ajar for as long as possible.
Of the 23 players on view in the Regnum Carya Sportspark, it was heartening to see Seamus Coleman back on Irish duty, almost a year to the day since he was cruelly cut down against Wales in the World Cup. That Coleman’s return should coincide with a revival of Everton’s Premier League results is no coincidence and O’Neill will seek similar inspiration and leadership from his captain, starting against Turkey on Friday in Antalya.
‘I’ve talked about him incessantly, his character and his ability and the fact he’s come back to play. He’s great, really great. I think the other players, both the senior and younger lads are delighted he’s here,’ said O’Neill.
Also back involved, after a twoyear gap with a broken leg, is Alan Judge, the Brentford midfielder, who made a decent impression on O’Neill on his sole senior appearance.
‘I wanted him to come back because I think he was pretty close to having a spot in the Euros with us but for the injury. He’s had a really, really tough time and I thought “let’s bring him out here.”’
In terms of the UEFA Nations League and the Euro 2020 qualifiers, this is the first of the auditions for the many rookies in the squad, with France (May 28) and USA (June 2) to come.
Daryl Murphy and Wes Hoolahan have left the arena, others may follow, and O’Neill needs to see what he has to work with.
‘Some of the senior players now have retired and others might over the next couple of months, so there is a freshness now about the side, but I would not want to mistake freshness for thinking that means an immediate improvement. ‘These players have got to prove themselves. Some of the lads coming into the squad are not 18, 19 and 20 — they are in their mid-20s so it’s up to them to do something.
‘I would not want to put undue pressure on them here for this particular game but we have got this match, the game against France in which you would want to put up a show and the USA game.’
O’Neill paired Sean Maguire and Scott Hogan together up front yesterday, which was curious as they appear like for like players. As things stand, he intends to use both on Friday, although he wouldn’t say if they would stay in harness.
‘I’ll see how we decide to use them but those two will play some part in the game. One might start, one might not, I’m just not sure right at this moment.
‘I want to get back to the point, if it didn’t go well for them in this game hopefully it wouldn’t be the end of the world. I think both those players can score goals,’ he said.
‘I think the players are starting to integrate. You saw today the young players trying to impress.’
One of those, Declan Rice, was stationed as a holding midfielder in the training game and looked at ease.
O’Neill revealed he’d had a conversation with the West Ham player on arrival in Turkey and that he’d conveyed the same mesmaterialise sage of commitment as to that on Sunday night with the press.
‘I don’t want to be pressurising but he’s come up through the ranks and I think he’s pretty strong (about Ireland) and hopefully that will work out.’
Rice is another who may start on Friday.
‘I would certainly consider it. I would hope he gets some part of the game whether he starts or whether he comes on.’