By Joe Behan
After Ireland’s 1-all draw on Saturday with Portugal, it is worth reflecting on who will be the players that may cut it when it comes down to the last qualifying games for World Cup 2002. A look at what these players have done and what they bring to the table spells out the nucleus of the Irish team at the moment. They are players who will want to prove themselves in the EPL next year and making the World Cup is that extra edge they need in their game to become national heroes and great players.
Roy Keane
Roy Keane, the Football Writers and the Professional Footballers Association’s Player of the Year for the 1999-2000, was without doubt in the hunt again for honors this year, but his hard-core reputation seems to have gone against him. Even his own Irish supporters sometimes get frustrated. Not only was he shoving his weight around the field, he was doing it off it, too, at Old Trafford and with the Football Association of Ireland.
He made the bold statement that the big money spinners who ate fancy foods upstairs at Old Trafford were not real supporters. Keano then ripped the lack of quality treatment for Irish Internationals. He complained that besides the facilities not up to par, the players were not given VIP assurance when traveling.
Keane continues to get those yellow cards like they are going out of fashion and he too often sees the red card. On the field, he is like a man possessed when he plays for both club and country. Recently, though, he has condemned his Red Devils for lackluster performances and indirectly pointed his finger at certain players after United failed to get past the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Follow us on social media
Keep up to date with the latest news with The Irish Echo
Keane is a player who can do it all with simplicity. Determination is the main drive to his game. His ball-winning skills and late runs into the box to score vital goals are his trademarks. Keane undeniably reaffirmed world-class status with his performance for Ireland in the World Cup qualifier against Portugal over the weekend.
Keane began his footballing career with Cobh Ramblers before Brian Clough took him to Nottingham Forest as an 18-year-old and later he represented his country in the 1994 World Cup. In the process, Keane has become one of the most outspoken Irish players of all time and has still remained impressive on the pitch. Fans, though, would rather see him let his football do the talking.
Robbie Keane
Went from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Coventry City for £6 million and continued to be a bundle of excitement to watch in the Premier. Many top clubs sought his signature and when Inter Milan came in for his signature, Robbie’s future was always going to be questioned. Without a doubt, he has the talent to make it, but this Milan move, in hindsight, has turned against the flashy forward.
After the Italian giants paid an incredible £13 million for the Irish International, Inter then failed miserably to show form in Serie A and Champions League.
Keane was way down the ladder of selection at Milan and once again Premier clubs chased after him. After West Ham and Chelsea were rejected, Leeds and Dave O’Leary rescued the raw talent. Leeds had found good form and it seemed Keane was settling down at Elland Road. Now on loan with Leeds, in typical Keane style, he scored eight goals in 11 Premier starts. Seeing him on the bench was also a part of his return to Elland Road and, hopefully, that discontinues.
It sure seems that Robbie Keane is at a crossroads in his football career when he was taken off against Portugal. Indeed, he knew himself that he was not at the races and the pensive forward left the field with his head just about upright as he applauded Irish support. Keane was out of shape for this game, and he knows that. Perhaps this is the end of Robbie’s wayward transfers and the beginning of a potential talent that can find a home at Elland Road under O’Leary.
Shay Given
A great story for any young ambitious goalkeepers who are told they are too small and will not make it. Given joined Newcastle from Blackburn and immediately found his confidence by keeping a string of clean sheets. A good shot-stopper and confident at claiming crosses, he played in the Toon Army’s disappointing 1997-98 FA Cup Final defeat. During the season just gone he fell out a little with Castle and Bobby Robson. Given wanted out. Robson insisted on him going nowhere and guided him back between the posts.
By sticking it out, Given turned in a tremendous performance for Ireland to prove that he may well be on is way to stardom. He was outstanding in everything he did for Ireland last Saturday and clubs for sure will come knocking the Castle down for his signature. Interestingly enough, Given was a junior keeper at Celtic before Blackburn bought him.
Stephen Carr
A right full that has come of age with Spurs and the Republic of Ireland. Carr is an attacking fullback who gets to the byline with flare and when he scores it is spectacular, like his 35-yard screamer against United.
This season he was consistent enough to be an automatic choice, but it did seem that he was somewhat unsettled, but so was the club.
Against Portugal Carr never stopped working and was very effective going forward in the first half when Ireland really needed that outlet. He defended very well and it looks like he will continue the Irish tradition of great full backs in the side.
Damien Duff
Keep an eye on this one, full of flair and pace. Was a major player for Blackburn in their triumphant season in returning to the premier. Gave the Rovers that extra dimension on the wing with his uncanny ability. Duff has a natural game based on his balance and having a low center of gravity. His coming of age will be on show next season for the Rovers in the premier.
Players like Duff need to play at the best level. He proved this when he came on against Portugal and turned the game up another notch for Ireland. The Portugal defense couldn’t handle him as he weaved dangerously in and around the box.
Duff started his career with flying colors when he ripped apart some of the best full backs on the scene, but then a loss in form saw his confidence slide. Toward the end of the Rovers season he was his skillful self again and one has to expect he is in Blackburn’s plans to attack the EPL. Let’s hope he is in Mick McCarthy’s attacking plan to qualify for World Cup 2002. Duff has no fear to attack, which is always great to watch.