The manager will have a void to fill but central figures like James Mccarthy can define a new era

AMID all the commotion of the last few days, a salient point was lost within the endless column inches and sound bites over the airwaves.

As the Roy Keane-to-Celtic story progressed from rumour based on bets placed with bookmakers to fact following confirmation from Martin O’Neill that there had been contact between both parties, the questions came thick and fast. Has Roy been offered the job? When will Roy go? Should Roy take it? Any more news on Roy? It was, and will continue to be, relentless until the matter is finalised one way or the other. The Ireland assistant manager was due to speak to the media after an opening training session in Aviva Stadium on Thursday but instead O’Neill fulfilled the duties alone.

And on Wednesday he will prepare to travel to the United States for games with Costa Rica and Portugal witho without his No 2. By that stag stage Keane is likely to be g getting settled in his office at Celtic’s Le Lennoxtown trainin ing centre. Without him t there will be a void on that trip and it is up to O’Neill to make s sure the players ar are not overly affe affected. Naturally, there will be a lull with the loss of such a figure but O O’Neill alone has the presence and capabilities to make sure the squad feel reborn in the USA. They will not be left a dud hand.

A few minutes after the manager spoke on Thursday and confirmed Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond was in touch with Keane, defender Ciaran Clark spoke. It was clear the players were not aware of the developments.

‘It’s all rumours, I suppose, at the minute. We hadn’t heard anything in particular – we just read and hear what’s being said and put out there,’ he said, before being informed by journalists of the actual situation.

‘That’s the first I’ve heard,’ he shrugged.

The following morning training resumed at the normal base in Malahide on Dublin’s northside and it was the turn of John O’Shea to deal with the onslaught of queries regarding Keane. He struck a chord when explaining the effect his potential departure would have.

‘We’d be very disappointed because we know what a fantastic character he is to have fighting for us on our side going into matches.

‘So obviously the experience that he’s given to not only myself, but young players in the squad already, young central midfield players that we have…’ And there it was.

James McCarthy is the obvious reference point in this instance as he is the one member of the current squad in Keane’s old position who looks as if he could come close to those standards – even if he may never quite break through that world-class ceiling.

But he is the midfielder in green where that hope is placed and long before Keane jumped at the chance to join O’Neill last November, he was keeping tabs on the Glaswegian.

‘I have looked at him over the last few years because Wigan is only down the road from where I live so I have been to see them a few times,’ the Cork man revealed last year. ‘He is certainly progressing very, very well and certainly when he steps up a level, I have seen him against the very good teams and he has stepped up, which is a very, very good sign.’

And when the Ireland squad met up for the first time ahead of the friendly with Latvia on November 15, the pair had the chance to work together on a oneto-one basis.

Keane was suitably impressed and expressed as much. ‘My first impression over the last two days is that the boy has a chance of being a top player…

‘He probably plays a little like me, maybe not as aggressive and is possibly looking to mature in terms of his personality on the teams over the next few years but that will all come. I don’t want that to be twisted round that I am comparing him to me, far from it.’

Those comparisons were always going to come and the manner in which the 23-year-old performed for Everton in the Premier League this past season ensured he would garner even more attention. And scrutiny.

Giovanni Trapattoni routinely spoke in agitated tones about McCarthy’s shyness on the pitch and he has not quite gotten rid of that tag with Ireland just yet. A dominant Euro 2016 qualifying campaign will certain dispel that feeling but with Keane bound for Glasgow it may lead to a stronger relationship developing between player and manager.

Paul McGrath was the one who defined the Jack Charlton era with his performances on the pitch as well as the bond between the two men.

Keane, under Mick McCarthy, was the pivotal character and not just because of Saipan, while Robbie Keane’s goals illuminated a dour reign under Trapattoni.

All players who were the beating heart of their sides and all in the spine of the starting XI. They are always the ones managers turn to and it will be no different with O’Neill and James McCarthy.

For all of Seamus Coleman’s splendour at right full, he will not be the person the Derryman will look towards to guide Ireland to France over the course of the 13month campaign.

‘I don’t want to sound wildly boastful, but not only am I the best man for this job, I’m actually the only man for the job,’ O’Neill said in September 2012 when his job was under threat with Sunderland.

It will be no bad thing if some of that confidence rubs off on James McCarthy.