Pressed about whether he had any advice for McCarthy during the Republic’s press conference, ahead of their trip to Serbia for their opening game of the World Cup qualification campaign, Keane was uncompromising.
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He said: ‘I think he leads. To hear that from the manager is great and you can come away happy even though you’re not playing.
Should Coleman miss out, the 23-year-old is the natural replacement and says he is desperate to prove that O’Neill’s confidence in him is well-founded.
“I thought I did OK and held my own in both games I played, so it gives you a boost”.
Asked if they had to start again, assistant manager Keane said: “It seems like yesterday we were starting in Georgia, but we are professional people, we have got to get switched on and get ready and whatever has gone on in the a year ago or two, whatever the plaudits people might have received, it’s the nature of the business we are in, it’s history now”.
The Everton man joined in the Irish team’s training session at Abbotstown this morning and assistant manager Roy Keane admitted that Coleman’s fitness is the major issue.
“I could sense in the crowd that they were desperate for me to score, and the team and the staff. They’ll play if they are ready”. “I’m quick, I have got a lot of things about my game” and get into the penalty box and try to do what Robbie Keane has done all his career”.
“I’ve really enjoyed my run”. They are very hard games to play in, but it was good. “But we just have to get on with it now”.
The Killybegs man hasn’t played for Everton this season because of an ankle injury but Martin O’Neill is hopeful on him being fit for the first game of the campaign.
Murphy said: “It’s a bit quieter, to be honest with you, because they are big characters to have around and they’re a massive loss to us”.
“I think he should look at that there and think, “Yeah, I have got plenty of time”.
“I think it’s a good blend with a good management staff leading us from the top and we are raring to go from Monday”.
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‘He’s gone to a good club in Burnley and from a selfish point of view, we obviously want all our players playing at the highest level, in the Premier league or overseas as one or two have tried.
