MICK IS STICKING WITH HIS TRUSTED TROOPS
No change for play-off
AS THE groundbreaking General Election results filtered in yesterday, Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was like a taoiseach assessing potential candidates for his cabinet.
Ahead of the Euro 2020 play-off skirmish with Slovakia on March 26, the message from McCarthy was in contrast to that of the Irish electorate, as he made it clear he’s reluctant to embrace change.
Most, if not all, of the campaign veterans can expect plum appointments on the front line in
Bratislava, as the rookie gatecrashers wait for another time.
McCarthy places immense value on loyalty and he believes the players who’ve carried Ireland to the play-offs, and those who clocked in for all 10 games in 2019, are deserving of first dibs.
It’s why there will be few shocks when he hands in the team sheet in Bratislava an hour or so before kick-off.
Barring injuries, nine of the jerseys appear reserved for the following: Darren Randolph, Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy, John
Egan, Enda Stevens, Jeff Hendrick, Glenn Whelan, James McClean and David McGoldrick.
Of the others, it’s probably perm two from the trio of Conor Hourihane, Alan Browne and Matt Doherty.
After that, the likes of Shane Long, James McCarthy, Callum Robinson and maybe, Robbie Brady, can expect to stay loose on the bench.
Because for all the fine results of the Under 21s under Stephen Kenny, and the eye-catching cameos of Aaron Connolly and Jack Byrne, among others, McCarthy intends to lean on battle-hardened pros for battle in Bratislava. This he made clear at yesterday’s InterSport Elverys Summer Schools launch in Dublin’s Henry Street.
‘I’m not saying there’s no chance for anybody else but our best performance came against Denmark and that team had players that were tried and tested, players that had been around the squad,’ explained McCarthy.
‘I’m convinced, in fact I know it’s not the game for debutants to come in. It’s always exciting and it’s a new story, it’s great for you guys if there’s one in, but I don’t know too many debutants who have come in in a play-off game.’
Long hasn’t been seen in an Ireland jersey under McCarthy but the 33-year-old is certainly pushing for a recall on the back of decent club form at Southampton.
‘I had him watched, and I’ve seen him. He’s looking healthy, he just needs to be playing. Nobody’s doubting his ability. Before, he’s been injured on a couple of occasions, and he’s also not been playing. It’s great that he’s got in and is playing some games.’
Other than a recall for Long, there won’t be many changes as McCarthy prepares for the playoffs. For those canvassing on behalf of youngsters such as Troy Parrott, Connolly, Jayson Molumby, Dara O’Shea, Lee O’Connor and Michael Obafemi, McCarthy’s hard-line stance may disappoint.
But it is in line with his past approach as he also stood by his regulars for previous play-offs for the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000 and 2002 World Cup.
Might things have been different? Yes, if Troy Parrott, for example, had gone out on loan and chalked up 10 or so games in the Championship between now and the squad announcement on March 16. Instead, Parrott was prevented from leaving Spurs because of his age, 17, and how it would affect his status at Spurs.
‘Troy Parrott couldn’t go out on loan because of his age. There was a problem there. If he did, he wouldn’t be recognised as a homebased player
‘It’s great for him financially he’s got a new contract but he’s not going to play is he? I wish he’d gone to Charlton to play games on loan, as I need to see him playing football.
‘He was deprived of that because of his age at the end of it. I wish he was playing football somewhere, it’d be much better for us.’
Asked if Parrott’s status as a reserve with Spurs, would affect his chance of squad inclusion for the play-offs, McCarthy was unequivocal.
‘Absolutely. If he’s not playing competitive football, he’s got very little chance of playing in the squad. Playing U23 reserve team football is not really the platform for him to get in.’
Parrott is not alone in being out in the cold for Slovakia.
‘Adam Idah came in and scored a hat-trick, and he’s not playing; Aaron Connolly’s not playing, Troy Parrott couldn’t go out on loan because of his age. I saw Jayson Molumby play yesterday, where Dara O’Shea scored. Jason Knight I’ve watched.
‘Don’t think that because they’re doing well in the Championship, they’re going to come in and play against Slovakia, as that’s not the case,’ said McCarthy.
A curious aspect to the play-offs is the first time involvement of VAR of which McCarthy is not always a fan. However, it should provide fairness in Slovakia.
‘I’m not completely against VAR, just how it’s been used at the moment, with players offside by a toenail. I do think there has been some great decisions by it, and the right team should win if the decision is right.
‘We might not have been in this position because against Switzerland I think, one of our lads might have been offside but equally we might have had a penalty because there was a handball. It is what it is. It’s there. I can’t do anything about it.’
“It’s a game for the tried and tested”
“Our best game came against the Danes”