“He has been sensational”, Ireland coach Martin O’Neill said.
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“Stuff [offers] has come up, but I’ve always been focused on the [Irish] job”, he said. So it has been a great old boost.
Keane’s walkout on the eve of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea has gone down in Irish folklore and the seven-times Premier League victor could not resist recalling the episode after Ireland beat Bosnia on Monday to reach the finals in France. I’ve been a little bit more hands-on, which I’ve enjoyed.
It has worked out a treat. Obviously if we didn’t get the result last night there would have been a slightly different way of looking at it but it has been everything I had hoped it would be.
O’Shea has well over 100 caps and had started every group game; but O’Neill stuck with Ciaran Clark alongside Richard Keogh, central defenders who had never partnered each other before the play-off but did well in the first leg and even better in the second. Growing up you live for these type of days.
“If we think we can keep them out and camp on the edge of our own area for 90 minutes, I think that is a recipe for disaster”.
“When I look back I’ll think this is a very, very proud moment”. “It’s new for the manager, it’s new for me and the other staff but we have enough experience under our belts to deal with the challenge”. There are twists and turns. All but frozen out by Trapattoni, he has established himself as Ireland’s chief playmaker despite not starting the first game against Georgia, the away game against Germany and conceding himself that he was unable to play the full 90 minutes against Poland in the concluding group game. Scotland still had to go there and that was not going to be easy. “As I said, we had our disappointments with defeats and injuries like in any competition but we have done it now so great credit to everybody”.
The draw for the 2016 European Championship finals in France will take place in Paris on December 12.
The Ireland boss is well aware that his side will come up against superior opposition but is adamant that they will be instilled with the belief and determination to compete with the best.
“It’s the type of thing you grow up dreaming about”, said Brady afterwards.
You don’t want to die wondering so at least you are going to try and get forward if you can.
“We have to compete”. Where would the club be now if they kept him?
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Edin Dezko, Bosnia’s only goalscorer on Friday night, and Miralem Pjanic are both star players for their country but neither provided brilliance that was expected. I’m very disappointed about the game.
