Motivated Cullen is expecting tough test
WHEN Josh Cullen encountered Glenn Whelan again this week, it was a reminder of his early days in the Republic of Ireland squad in 2019.
Then, Whelan had been drafted back by Mick McCarthy as the gnarly patrolman of the trenches, while a callow Cullen observed the finer points of the position known today as the No 6.
‘Glenn was part of the squad when I first came into the squad under Mick McCarthy so it’s good to see him again, have him back in, and get little pointers throughout the week on the midfielder’s role within the game plan for the team,’ said Cullen.
Five years on from their first alliance at senior level, Cullen holds the unsung Whelan in high esteem.
‘Having trained with Glenn and seen him play close up, I know he had so much ability but sometimes I think the biggest compliment you can give players like Glenn is you probably notice more when they are not playing.
‘The people that matter notice it. In terms of the management, your teammates, the people that are watching how the game is really played.
‘They really see the importance of the role that Glenn Whelan played throughout his career, that’s the highest compliment I can give to him, in terms of how important that role he played is for any team to be successful.
‘The job they do for the team and the role he always carries out was always fantastic. He is always someone I watched and tried to learn from.’
Where Whelan and Cullen compare is not just their positions, but their impact in the final third. Safe to say, neither are known for their goals.
Whelan scored just two in 91 appearances, while Cullen has yet to get off the mark after 32 caps.
If he’s not careful in the coming year or so, he’ll edge towards those zero goal men with over 40 caps — Stephen Carr (43), James McCarthy (42) and Terry Phelan (42).
Cullen was his usual tidy self yesterday, articulate and composed, without giving much away. It’s the way of most players on media call these days.
It was left to John O’Shea to make a point about his impact at training. ‘He’s been trying to tackle the midfielders so we had to rein him in a little bit!’
Cullen is slight in stature but he’s a terrier of the trenches, not afraid to snap into tackles, win the ball, and move it along.
His value to Stephen Kenny was immense and his contribution was reflected in his selection as the Senior Player of the Year in 2021 — a much coveted honour.
It remains to be seen if he gets licence to play that bit more forward this evening but he can be expected to have a role in the setpiece plays.
The role of underdog is familiar to Cullen, as it is to his fellow internationals who are scrapping fiercely to stay up in the Premier League — Nathan Collins, Chiedozie Ogbene, Andrew Omobamidele, Séamus Coleman and club colleague, Dara O’Shea.
Most weekends they cross the white line anticipating they will spend most of the game on the back foot, being bossed in possession. Their gloves are up, firmly in place.
That siege mentality may stand to them against the classy Belgians this evening.
Cullen, who has chalked up 300 career games at club level, won’t be fazed by opponents he would have known of, and in some cases played against, from his two seasons at Anderlecht.
Ahead of a new international year, he is ready to snap into tackles again.
‘It has been a brilliant week working under the new manager and his staff.
‘Touching on the game with Belgium before (2022), we know they have top players and it will be a tough game.
‘We have worked on a good game plan this week and we’re looking forward to putting that into practice tomorrow.’
Should Cullen pop up with a first Irish goal, no one will be more pleased for him than Whelan.