FORMER IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Niall Quinn has emphasised the importance of Martin O’Neill’s side’s upcoming summer friendlies, suggesting they could prove vital in helping to shape the team’s identity.
Quinn cited his own experience as an Ireland player, underlining the importance of the team’s trip to Iceland early on in the Charlton era.
“He got us together for a trip to Iceland and it was the making of our team,” he said. “The fact that the commitment is there. That augurs very well for this team.
“When people ask questions about Roy Keane’s influence, this couple of weeks will be invaluable to him. It’s about two things — increasing the motivation, increasing the belief that they can go on to bigger and better things and spending quality time together in that mode. And it’s also about tactics, playing the Martin O’Neill way and the Roy Keane way. This is more important than people think.”
Elaborating on his time with Ireland, Quinn said that it was in Iceland that the players first properly familiarised themselves with Charlton’s tactics.
“We were working [together] every day. At that particular time, Jack wanted to change the way Ireland played. He was a bit ahead of his time, and so Frank was told that he had to drop back and make our midfield a five [when the team weren't in possession], which is the modern way of playing football now, albeit in different circumstances.
“The problem I had — and I was a kid learning the game — was that as soon as I’d drop back, our full-back would get it and I’d have to be up there again trying to win the header. So I found it difficult to adapt to, but Frank adapted straight away. And that trip alone made us a stronger unit tactically.”
Quinn cites Scotland as the key opponent, as Ireland hope — in all probability — for a runner-up spot at best in the group for their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers.
While saying he would “question the player pool,” he feels Ireland have the ability to qualify for a second successive European Championships.
“By the end of [the trip], I’m sure the players will have come on leaps and bounds as a unit. It can be two sessions a day, lots of time, lots of meetings in hotel rooms and that’s the real value in all those players turning up.”
And given its importance, is he disappointed that Stephen Ireland has seemingly chosen not to make himself available for squad selection?
“I am, because he definitely brought something to the party for Stoke this year. It looked to me as if he was in a good place and under the radar almost. And I was taken aback that he wouldn’t answer [Martin O'Neill's] calls. That compounds the issue if it drags on. All these other guys are delighted to turn up, but you’d never want to totally close the door on talent. You can’t force it on a modern player.
“When I think of Stephen Ireland, the first person I think of is Davy Langan who I played with in the early days. Langy would turn up hobbling and saying he was fit. But somewhere between Davy’s time and Stevie’s time, that [negative mentality] has crept in.”
(Stephen Ireland has been persistently linked with a return to the international set up)
While emphasising that the decision is O’Neill’s, Quinn personally does not think Ireland should be definitively ruled out of future squad selections.
“I’d be guided by Martin on it, I’d hope he gets the best out of it. The real key to it is what your dressing room thinks. I’m sure everyone in the dressing room would get it over and done with in five seconds. There’ll be a laugh and a bit of stick, and then they’ll get on with the serious business. It’s that one white line that Stephen has to get over.”
Quinn also tipped Ireland’s midfield, and in particular, James McCarthy to shine in the coming months.
“Martinez has been excellent for [McCarthy] and to bring him to Everton was a big pat on the back, and I’m not surprised he’s being linked to clubs, because he does his job so well.
“I’m expecting a big year from McGeady as well. He should show us the abilities we know are in him. I’m not saying he did badly in Russia, we just didn’t see him and he didn’t transfer it for Ireland.
“I watched Stoke this year and watched Glenn Whelan knock the ball around and obviously he was restricted doing that for Ireland [under Trap]. I was delighted to see him play cross-field balls, want the ball off defenders — they’ll let him take the shackles off.”
Quinn spoke of how Roy Keane can have a positive influence on players such as McCarthy, referring to how Jordan Henderson credits the Corkonian with developing his game.
However, he feels that a move to a big club such as United could be a bit too soon for McCarthy, suggesting a second year at Everton would be ideal.
“The last person that moved too soon was Jordan Henderson. I knew he was going to have the type of year he had at a big club this year, but I felt it was too early. But we wilted in the end and we were happy for him, but we always knew he wasn’t quite ready to lead the charge at Anfield.”
Niall will be commentating for Sky Sports on the Ireland v Turkey friendly match from the Aviva Stadium this Sunday from 6pm.
