BROWNE’S WORTH A PICK, MICK
Kilbane urges new boss to take punt on North End star
ALAN BROWNE has been tipped to become a leader in the Republic of Ireland team.
The midfielder is thriving at Preston North End this season having bagged 11 goals in all competitions from an advanced role.
And Ireland centurion Kevin Kilbane – himself a former North End player – believes Browne could be the surprise package of the Euro 2020 campaign despite low-key performances in a green shirt so far.
Former Cork City youth Browne, 23, made his Irish debut under Martin O’neill in the 3-1 friendly defeat to Mexico in 2017.
He has added just two more caps since then, going under the radar in losses to Turkey and France last year.
But Kilbane is convinced Browne (inset) has a lot to offer if Mick Mccarthy would consider using him in a similar attacking role to the one he plays at Preston. Kilbane was first made aware of Browne when the then teenager arrived at Nicky Barmby’s Hull City on trial from Ringmahon Rangers.
He said: “I’ve known Alan a long time, from when he came to Hull as a 16-year-old and you knew straight away he had something.
“The first day he trained with the first team, he went into a 50-50 with Robbie Brady who was an established player. He went through him.”
While former manager O’neill found the lack of goalscorers a problem, his midfield was also a cause for concern.
Conor Hourihane, Harry Arter, David Meyler, Shaun Williams have all been tried in the middle with varying degrees of success.
A fit-again James Mccarthy might have been the solution but game time is limited at Everton and he failed to land a deadline day move.
But Kilbane is urging Mccarthy to give Browne due consideration with the opening game in Gibraltar looming large next month.
“Alan’s found a position now at Preston,” he said yesterday. “If you asked him two years ago could he play as a No.10, score goals and get into double figures, he probably would have laughed at you.
“But his finishing, his technique, everything is improving year on year.
“He’s a player who might get to 27 or 28 and we’ll be looking at him as a main guy or a leader in our side. He’s got the ability to do that.”
KEVIN KILBANE, Niall Quinn and Brian Kerr are Champions League analysts for Virgin Media Sport when Manchester United face PSG tonight.