New batch of heroes will spur on the Irish
MARTIN O’NEILL will head into 2017 confident that the Republic of Ireland’s dreams are safe in the hands of a new generation of national heroes.
Ireland end the current year sitting proudly at the top of World Cup qualification Group D ahead of Serbia and Wales and having enhanced their reputation with a morethan-credible showing at the Euro 2016 finals.
They will face an almighty battle to hang on to their lead in the new year and secure a trip to Russia during the summer of 2018, but manager O’Neill is confident that, as well as their famed resilience, there is more substance to his team with the likes of Seamus Coleman, Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick having taken up the baton from Shay Given, John O’Shea and Robbie Keane.
He said: “It really doesn’t bother me what people will say about the side. I do believe we have resilience in the team – I think the number of goals we have scored late on in matches in the last couple of years kind of proves it.
“We lack certain things – it would be common knowledge to say a natural goalscorer – in our team. You’re probably fed up of me saying it, but a 27-year-old Robbie Keane might have made all the difference in the world out there. Unfortunately, I didn’t have him in his pomp.
“But this side here, instead of regressing, it has at least stabilised itself and I think has grown in confidence. You see Jeff Hendrick’s performances, you see Robbie Brady, you see these people, the improvement at international level. They feel as if they belong there now.
“That’s the thing – we don’t have a Gareth Bale in our team who can turn matches, but we have to find other ways to win and the players, so far, have come up big when it matters.”
If Brady and Hendrick showed in France they have what it takes to perform at the highest level, Coleman has been no less impressive in his transformation from full-back to Keane’s successor as captain.
O’Neill said: “Sometimes when you take over the captaincy, your own form suffers a little bit because you are concerned about the effect you are having on other people.
“I know this myself – I was captain of Northern Ireland for half my time as a player. In the early parts, you are worried about your influence. You are hoping you are going to be a really good influence and sometimes your own play can suffer.
“Seamus’ play has actually been enhanced as captain, if it’s anything to go by at both club and national level.”