Shane Long feels it would be 'disrespectful' to say he deserves a starting place in the Republic of Ireland team despite being left frustrated on the bench for long spells of a turbulent year for the national side.

DARRON GIBSON has become the latest player to withdraw from an ever-diminishing Ireland squad for Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Skopje, having notified the management team that he will be unavailable with a groin problem.