JAKE RATTLE & ROLL
Surprise package O’brien gives interim manager a welcome selection headache
JOHN O’SHEA hailed Ireland newcomer Jake O’brien for making the bold decision to pursue his career on the continent.
And former Manchester United defender O’shea – who had a loan spell in Belgium in 2001 – has vowed to help the Cork youngster become an even better centre-back.
O’brien, 22, was a complete unknown to Lyon fans when he pitched up in France at the start of the season.
But he has been a revelation and key to their climb to 10th in Ligue 1, having got off to a nightmare start that saw them rooted to the foot of the table.
And the ex-cork City player, who joined Crystal Palace before loan spells at Swindon and Belgian outfit
Molenbeek, has now been named in the Irish squad for the first time.
O’shea said last night: “I’ve worked with Jake with Ireland’s under-21s and it’s been brilliant to see what he has done in the last year to 18 months.
“Going out to Europe to learn his trade, leaving Palace, going to Lyon and establishing himself in a top flight league, that’s been brilliant to see.”
O’brien faces stiff competition for a debut against Belgium or Switzerland as Nathan Collins,
Andrew Omobamidele, Liam Scales and Dara O’shea are also in the squad.
But O’shea (right) is not ruling out a senior breakthrough for O’brien who is looking to cap a remarkable rise to prominence in style.
“There’s great competition in that area of the pitch and he’ll have a lot of competition, but it’s great for us,” said the stand-in Ireland manager. “With me being part of the defensive camp shall we say, we can help him improve even further over the two games.”
O’brien is not the only newcomer in O’shea’s squad with Middlesbrough’s Finn Azaz also thrown into the mix for this double-header.
O’shea was eager to have a blend of youth
and experience and Euro 2016 hero Robbie Brady has joined Seamus Coleman in making a return.
“It’s about his footballing ability first and foremost,” said O’shea of Brady, his former Ireland team-mate who has endured numerous injury issues since that winner in Lille.
“He’s fit and well and can play left wing-back, left back and he can play in midfield – there’s good versatility to him.”
Leicester City’s Kasey Mcateer is still planning to declare for Ireland but is currently injured, but clubmate Tom Cannon is concentrating on his club football.
Stephen Kenny had wanted to bring the English striker – capped by Ireland under-21s – into the fold when he was manager but Cannon has put his decision on the back burner for now.