Whelan relishing France showdown

Glenn Whelan is already living the dream and now he has France in his sights as the Republic of Ireland prepare for tomorrow’s World Cup showdown.

The 25-year-old midfielder, more than anyone, personifies the change brought by Giovanni Trapattoni since he became Republic boss 18 months ago.

Whelan was handed his first senior cap in the Italian’s first game in charge, a 1-1 friendly draw with Serbia, in May last year.

The intervening months have brought 14 more appearances for his country and two goals, the second of them a stunning opener in last month’s 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw with reigning champions Italy.

Whelan’s emergence on the international stage has been remarkable – he is not an automatic choice for his club, Stoke – and tomorrow night he will find himself rubbing shoulders with Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, Karim Benzema and William Gallas as the Republic attempt to deny the mighty France a trip to next summer’s finals in South Africa.

He admitted: “If you had said to me 18 months ago I would be where I am and playing in such a big game, I wouldn’t have believed you.

“But it’s down to a lot of hard work and taking things on board that have been said.

“That’s helped but I have still got a lot to improve on and a lot to learn, and I am one of those players who will never stop doing it.”

Those sentiments will be music to Trapattoni’s ears as he plots the downfall of one of European football’s aristocrats.

Ireland have not beaten one of the big boys since they edged Holland out of the race to the 2002 finals and that is exactly what they will have to do if they are to rekindle memories of their heroics in Italy, the United States and the Far East.

But, having run the Italians so close during their Group 8 campaign – they drew 1-1 in Bari and led 2-1 with just seconds to play at Croke Park last month before substitute Alberto Gilardino levelled – they head into the showdown with the under-achieving French full of confidence.

Whelan said: “We felt a little bit disappointed after the Italy game – if you had seen the dressing room, everyone felt like it was a defeat.

“But it just goes to show how much we have improved and come on. Obviously, the French will be aware of what we have done against the Italians and hopefully it stands us in good stead.”

That said, the ever pragmatic Trapattoni will not allow minds to wander any further than Wednesday’s second-leg trip to the Stade de France, and that is a message that has clearly been driven home.

Whelan said: “I know it’s a cliche but to look any further than Wednesday would be stupid, really, because we are so close but yet so far.

“We have to worry about Saturday and doing things right then, and then looking after that.

“But, for me, to have a chance and to be so close to getting to a World Cup is unbelievable and I am going to be doing everything I can to get there.

“These are the games you want to be involved in, this is why you play international football.

“This is, for myself, what I have dreamt about. I have played in two games against the world champions and I was lucky enough to score.

“Hopefully, now, if we go on and achieve something against the French, a lot of people would be very, very happy.”

What transpires over 180 nerve-jangling minutes of football will determine which of the sides head for the summer jamboree in Africa, and the contest represents an intriguing battle of differing styles and expectations.

But, while Whelan and his team-mates are well aware of the potential for brilliance within the French camp, they are determined they will not be beaten for grit, passion and sheer doggedness.

The midfielder said: “They have got top, top players all over the park. If you are looking at individual players, it’s unbelievable.

“But, as a team, they probably haven’t done as well as they would like to expect.

“We are a hard team to beat. We don’t concede a great amount of goals and that’s something the manager has definitely brought in.

“But we have got some terrific players who can win any game at any given time and hopefully they can perform and everyone performs on the day.”