Reid hopes to force his way into Stan’s plans

NEW manager, new leaf they say. Words that will be music to the ears of Steven Reid who is hoping to finally light a fuse under what has been a slow-burning international career.

It’s five years since the Blackburn Rovers midfielder made his debut for Ireland yet, for every great night he’s enjoyed in green, he’s missed another two. Sixteen caps is all he has to show for half a decade of service, a paltry return in comparison to say Kevin Kilbane who has earned 43 since Reid’s bow against Croatia back in 2001.

Though still playing for Millwall at the time of the last World Cup, Reid appeared in all three group games as a substitute and never looked out of place on such a grand stage. A regular spot with his country seemed certain.

A litany of injuries has been the chief culprit in holding him back since then but he has managed to stay 100% healthy for at least 12 months and his performances with Rovers this season reflect that.

“It’s probably been about a year since my last injury and I’m feeling fitter than I’ve ever felt. It’s been a bit of a disappointing time since the World Cup. It hasn’t gone as I would have liked it to, but now that I’m back to full fitness I’m really eager to do well for club and country.”

As a tall, strong and athletic player with decent technique and an eye for goal, Reid seems custom-made for the engine room but he has been delegated duties on the right wing and even full-back in the past.

Like John O’Shea at Old Trafford, such versatility probably did him as much harm as good in the past but Mark Hughes has consistently asked him to pivot the midfield from the centre circle since his arrival as manager and that too has aided his rebirth in the last year.

“That’s where I’ve always wanted to play,” Reid admits. “It’s where I see myself playing in the future and I’m really enjoying it there. Mark’s given me a good run in the side since he’s been at the club and that’s starting to show. I’m starting to get back to my best form.

“When Mark Hughes came in as manager the first priority was safety,” Reid explains. “At times it wasn’t very pretty. We had to fight and scrap but once we were safe he’s built a team in the summer and I think we’re proving a lot of people wrong.”

Steve Staunton would love to replicate that blend of brawn and brain with Ireland and, the door is certainly open for Reid.

“I’m excited with the new management team and, with the way I’m playing at the moment, I’m obviously looking to force my way into Steve’s plans.”