Harry backs Wilson to fill Dunne boots for Irish

Richard Dunne may have exited the international scene but Marc Wilson is an able successor in the Ireland defence, according to Harry Redknapp.

The QPR manager remains a big admirer of Wilson’s, having recruited him as an apprentice for Portsmouth and subsequently handing the Antrim man his first-team debut against Chelsea in 2008.

While their paths went different ways, Redknapp has seen his protege prosper both in the Premier League for Stoke City and with Ireland. Martin O’Neill has started Wilson in the five games he’s been available for since taking over the Ireland hot seat last November, making him a certainty to fill one of the central defensive berths for the Euro 2016 campaign which kicks off in five weeks’ time.