IT MAY HAVE been just his second senior international appearance, but Harry Arter tonight proved that he is a valuable asset to have.
The 26-year-old midfielder, who made his debut against England this time last year, finally got the chance to win a second cap after injuries this season prevented him from being involved sooner.
Bournemouth star Arter showed a willingness to work hard for the team out of possession and regularly made himself available to get on the ball before being substituted seven minutes from time.
“I was happy with how I did,” Arter said. “I gave it my best, 110%, and that’s all you can do.
“I feel fortunate and lucky enough to be in this position. I don’t see it as pressure, I see it as a challenge. I was pleased to get the nod.
“We’re professional footballers, if you feel like you’re under pressure then you’re not going to give it your all. This is my job to perform and give it my best and that’s what I tried to do today.
I’ve worked hard for the past two months to try and get my body as good as it can get and tonight I was pleased out there.”
Arter will be hoping he has done enough to make O’Neill’s final 23-man squad but he may be given another chance in the friendly with Belarus on Tuesday.
Having made a full-blooded challenge on Kevin Strootman early on, he was booked later on and the Ireland boss wasn’t surprised to see a bit of bite.
“I understand that the players want to try to put on a performance and Harry in particular got in two or three times – he eventually was booked,” O’Neill said when asked about his physicality.
“But that’s the way they generally play the game. Harry is tenacious at Bournemouth – he is known for that, he does put his foot in, so that didn’t really surprise me, and the same with young (Stephen) Quinny. I was pleased with them.”
And O’Neill believes Arter will only get better in a green shirt.
“Do I think that Harry has more to offer than this evening? Very much so,” he added. “He’s had a tough year because of injury, he’s been out for a fairly lengthy time.
He’s just got back to playing and I think we’ll see the best of Harry – I’m hoping he is going to be around this team for quite some considerable time. The best is still to come from him, without question.”
Tonight’s performance was far more important than the result and Arter believes he and his team-mates did themselves proud.
“Of course it (the result) matters because you don’t want to concede goals as it’s not a habit you want to get used to,” he added. “I think you have to recognise that the Dutch are an unbelievable side.
“I know they’re not going to the Euros but if they were going I’d have no doubt that they would be seen as one of the favourites for the tournament. They’re a great side but on another day we could have held on.”
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