Ben Blake reports from Versailles
WITH JUST THREE senior caps to his name, Shane Duffy is Ireland’s most inexperienced Euro 2016 squad member.
The 24-year-old defender forced his way into Martin O’Neill’s plans with accomplished displays in the recent friendlies with Switzerland and the Netherlands, and Duffy has continued to make a good impression over the past two weeks.
Roy Keane was asked about the 6′ 3” Derry native today, and the assistant boss had nothing but positives things to say.
“Sometimes you have to throw young players in – that’s part of football,” said Keane. “When you look at his short career so far, the fact is he’s gone out and played games regularly at club level.
“That was a huge boost for him over the last year or two, going to Blackburn and playing and the fact he has had opportunities with the senior team, and he seems to be enjoying it.
“He’s a big, strong boy. He has got lots and lots to learn about the game, he is far from the finished article, but he’s given himself a chance.”
Duffy is one of four centre-halves vying for a place in the team to play Sweden in Euro 2016 on Monday evening, and Keane has endorsed his inclusion.
“A few months ago, it probably would have been touch and go whether he was going to make the squad,” he added. “But he has impressed everybody with his training and the games he has played and on top of getting in the squad, I think he’s got a great chance of making the starting XI.
“He’s been a big plus the last few months. We are delighted to have him involved – and he is very good in both boxes, which is pretty important for a centre-half.”
Duffy entered the room as Keane finished chatted to the broadcast media this afternoon, and caught the tail end of the praise coming his way.
“It’s not a bad thing to hear, to be honest,” he said, upon hearing Keane’s words. “I’m delighted that it’s him saying it.
“He’s right, I can’t disagree with him anyway! I’m still learning the game. I’ve been out now a couple of season trying to get myself ready and learn the game a bit and develop.
“I feel like I’m doing it slowly and steadily. I’m happy the way it’s going and hopefully there’s a lot more to come from me.”
A place on the teamsheet will pit Duffy against one of the world’s most talented strikers in Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
But who is the best striker he has ever faced?
“I’ve played against Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane, and I remember when I was at Everton I made my debut against (Emmanuel) Adebayor when he was in his prime and he was similar to Zlatan,” he replies. ”Tall, gangly and strong and I remember he was a very good striker then.
“I’ve played against other top strikers, like Jermain Defoe when he was in his prime, very nippy and sharp, and the likes of Vardy who’s come from the lower leagues. I’ve played against him a few times.”
Listen to The42′s Ben Blake on the 98FM Euro 2016 Daily podcast throughout the tournament
