MARTIN O’NEILL HAD high praise for Ipswich striker David McGoldrick following tonight’s 1-1 draw with Holland at the Aviva Stadium.
The Ipswich striker is one player uncertain of a place in Ireland’s 23-man Euro 2016 squad, and the Irish manager admits he’ll have a few “dilemmas” when he comes to confirm the travelling party on Tuesday evening.
“The idea tonight was (to play) a mixture of players who are certain and others who feel every minute on the pitch is important,” O’Neill said.
Speaking about McGoldrick in particular, O’Neill said the striker was unique in terms of what he can offer the team, though indicated he still had some reservations about the 28-year-old’s fitness, after he missed a large portion of this season due to injury.
“David’s only got in at the back end of the season (at Ipswich) due to injury,” O’Neill said.
“David can offer something that we don’t have in the side at the moment
It’s as much to do with the fitness level and the amount of games that he hasn’t played. But again, I’m hoping he’ll be around (in the squad) for some time if he stays injury-free, which he hasn’t been able to do in the past couple of years properly for a real long six-month run.
“That fitness level he’s attempting to achieve will stand him in good stead (in future).”
Stephen Quinn and Harry Arter were two other players hoping to make an impact this evening, and the Ireland boss was impressed with what he saw.
“Harry in particular got in two or three times, and he was booked, but I think that’s the way they play the game
Harry’s tenacious at Bournemouth, so that didn’t really surprise me — the same with Quinny, I was pleased with them and I wanted them to start.
“Because of injury this year, (Arter) has been out for a fairly lengthy time. He’s just got back. I think we’ll see the best of Harry and I’m hoping he’ll be around the scene for quite a considerable period of time.
“The best is still to come from him, no question.”
O’Neill also had encouraging words for Blackburn centre-back Shane Duffy, who earned his third Ireland cap this evening.
I thought he did very well in March in the Swiss match. Again, another excellent performance considering he hasn’t got much international experience. He’s come on leaps and bounds from the time that we took him to America (for the summer friendlies in 2014).
“He’s been playing most weeks at Blackburn, which is beneficial to him.”
The 24-year-old was arguably at fault for Holland’s equaliser, as he was caught out of position, though O’Neill seemed to suggest goalkeeper Darren Randolph was more culpable.
“Darren Randolph pulled one out of the sky 10 minutes before that and has done very well. In hindsight, he maybe shouldn’t have come for it,
It’s a great delivery that’s gone between the centre-backs, but these things you can learn from.
“Maybe best (to make mistakes) here in this friendly match than in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday night against Belarus, O’Neill indicated there would be plenty of changes to starting XI for the match at Turner’s Cross, while indicating that Shane Long — who took a slight knock tonight — was unlikely to feature.
While James McClean had another stint in the unfamiliar role as striker this evening, O’Neill added that it was his preference to play the West Brom man on the wing, and that Robbie Keane and Daryl Murphy were likely to figure in next week’s game.
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